He Arose and Departed by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 7, 1915

“He Arose and Departed”

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

Jesus came into the world to prove that God loves sinners and can save them. Sin originated with Lucifer, not with God. God was and is in no way responsible for it. He hates it, he warned all against it, and yet it found existence. Jesus was manifested among men to destroy it, and to save the sinner.

One day a man sick of the palsy was brought to Jesus on a bed. Really he was dying. He could not walk. He was a sinner, and knew it. It was his sin-sick soul that gave him the most of his trouble. Could he be freed from his sins, what a burden would be rolled away! Jesus read his heart. He had power on earth to forgive sin. And when this helpless man was brought into his presence, Jesus’ words of greeting to him were like music to his soul, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven.”

One can imagine the expression of gladness upon the sufferer’s face at hearing these blessed words of assurance. But doubters were there; they are always present on such occasions. In their hearts they were saying, “Who is this man forgiving sins? No one but God can do that. This man is surely a blasphemer in thus making himself God.” These wicked thoughts Jesus read on their minds, and asked, “Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?”

Now Jesus was either God or a blasphemer. And to prove that he was the former, and forever to settle it that he was not a blasphemer, the test was made. Upon his word this man’s sins were or were not forgiven. Surely it was one or the other. Nothing was seen only the gladdened face of the palsied man to prove that his sins had actually been forgiven. By faith he had believed the word of Jesus, and in actual fact his sins at that very moment were forgiven; he was as free from them as if he had never sinned. He knew it. Yet to prove this to the multitude looking on, Jesus went on, “But that ye [the doubters] may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, and take up thy bed, and go unto thy house.”

Suppose now that the sick man had not got up and gone home. What a signal victory this would have been for Satan! But, thank God, the palsied man picked up his bed, a well man, and with the dignified bearing of one in full possession of his restored manhood, he passed through the crowd, every step proclaiming to all who saw him, This man has power on earth to forgive sins.

And today the story tells you and me the same; so why should not we also “be of good cheer”? Jesus, though now in heaven, still has power on earth to forgive sins.