# Rise and Walk – A Meditation on Faith and Healing
*2018-07-05*

> Bill Young reflects on the Gospel reading of the paralytic (Matt 9:1‑8), exploring the relationship between forgiveness of sins and physical healing, and invites listeners to walk in the Spirit as Christ did.

## The Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel comes from Matthew 9:1‑8. Jesus returns to His hometown, and a paralytic is brought to Him on a stretcher. Seeing the faith of those who carried the man, Jesus says, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” The scribes think to themselves that He is blaspheming, for only God can forgive sins. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, asks, “Which is easier: to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘Rise and walk’?” He then tells the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” The man gets up, and the crowd is filled with awe, glorifying God for the authority given to Christ.

## Forgiveness vs. Physical Healing

The passage challenges us to consider which act is greater: the forgiveness of sins or the healing of a broken body. Jesus demonstrates that both are possible because He possesses authority over both spiritual and physical realms. The scribes’ objection reveals a limited understanding of God’s power, while the crowd’s response shows a recognition of divine authority manifested in tangible miracles.

## Christ in Motion

In today’s meditation, the phrase “Rise and walk” reminds us that Christ was always on the move—never settled in a permanent home, never resting on earthly comforts. He wandered as a rabbi, living without a fixed dwelling, yet He carried the light of God’s will wherever He went. This itinerant life models the Christian call to continual movement toward God.

## Walking with the Spirit

The New Testament repeatedly urges believers to walk in the Spirit: 1 Cor 5:7, Rom 8:4, John 15:5, 2 Cor 5:7, Col 1:10. To “walk” is more than physical locomotion; it is a way of living that reflects God’s presence. One who claims to abide in Christ must also demonstrate that walk, for walking is the fundamental category of Christian life. Without walking, there is no certainty, no grasp of truth, no steadfastness.

## Living the Call to Rise

Christ fulfilled the Old Testament’s call to walk before God, embodying mobility and flexibility in life. As we encounter our own “paralytic” moments—whether sin, doubt, or suffering—we are invited to rise, trust in Christ’s authority, and continue walking in faith, love, and obedience.

*Christ’s invitation to “rise and walk” calls us to embrace both forgiveness and active discipleship, trusting that God’s authority empowers us to move forward in faith.*