5
Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."
6
Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves,
7
"He can't talk that way! That's blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins."
8
Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, "Why are you so skeptical?
9
Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, 'I forgive your sins,' or say, 'Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'?
10
Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . ." (he looked now at the paraplegic),
11
"Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home."
12
And the man did it - got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous - and then praised God, saying, "We've never seen anything like this!"
13
Then Jesus went again to walk alongside the lake. Again a crowd came to him, and he taught them.
14
Strolling along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, "Come along with me." He came.
15
Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers.