Legalism always gets us looking in the wrong direction. Legalism focuses on the outward manifestation of right or wrong while faith starts from the inner being, the heart.
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
Luke 5:22-26 NIV
It may be easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven," but, to say, "Get up and walk," and actually heal the paralyzed man...that demonstrated Christ's authority.
As my friends in the south would say, "Let me ask you this," which is harder to do heal the paralyzed man or forgive his sins? Frankly, the death of Christ on the cross shows us that to forgive our sins is the costliest and most difficult thing in all of history, if not eternity.
Think about it. The heavens and earth were created with a word. Our redemption cost the death of Christ, his separation from the Father, his humiliation as a man. He left eternity and was stuck in time. In human form he experienced our need, our pain, our hunger. At the moment of his death he cried out and "the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom. The earth shook and rocks split. The tombs broke open..." (Matthew 27:51-52a).
Back to the mat. Jesus may heal you, but, what you need is forgiveness. When Christ says he will forgive your sins, it's no mere flippant word by Jesus. Christ may tell you to pick up your mat and walk, but, don't forget he forgave your sins.
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