That’s the way it seems to me. There’s nothing, plain or obscure, about equivalence, or even a connection other than that Jesus both pronounced forgiveness and commanded the man to walk.
I think of Isaiah 55 and the power and effectiveness of God’s word. To question IHS’s authority to forgive sins is to question whether his word brings about what he says,in this case the forgiveness of sins. So it’s almost as if he says, “You can’t see that my word about forgiveness is effective, let me say something in which the word will be obviously effective.” So he speaks his word and it does not return to him empty but accomplishes what he intended and prospers in that for which he sent it.
I think of Isaiah 55 and the power and effectiveness of God’s word. To question IHS’s authority to forgive sins is to question whether his word brings about what he says,in this case the forgiveness of sins. So it’s almost as if he says, “You can’t see that my word about forgiveness is effective, let me say something in which the word will be obviously effective.” So he speaks his word and it does not return to him empty but accomplishes what he intended and prospers in that for which he sent it."
Amen. His healing act was simply a substantiation, a demonstration of His ability/prerogative to forgive. Obviously, this is a condescension to our lack of true sight, not a promise to heal those who obey. Thank you, my FRiend.