the crowds and gently easing the paralytic into the Presence of Christ. One can imagine the astonishment of the apostles—and of Simon, seeing his roof being destroyed! What Christ saw, however, was the faith of the bold group, which refused to be deterred. Tenderly, He says to the paralytic [the words are again in the present tense, to convey immediacy], “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Why, some have asked, did the Lord first speak this word of forgiveness, when the obvious request was for healing?