Today Jesus returns to His home town. When the townspeople heard He was home, they brought him a paralysed man on a stretcher, trusting in His power to heal. Jesus said to the man: “Have courage! Your sins are forgiven!”
Some scribes among the crowd murmured, believing Jesus was blaspheming by claiming authority to forgive sins. But Jesus knew their thoughts and sensed their disapproval.
He confronted them: “Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk?’” Then he told the paralysed man “Rise, pick up your stretcher and return home.” The man immediately stood, picked up his stretcher, and went home. Everyone was filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Is there a scribe within us? Do we notice when we murmur, judge others, or criticize Jesus for what He does—or does not do?
We need to be mindful of that inner scribe and our tendency to judge. When we become aware of our criticisms, we can step back, change our minds, and let judgment go.

Over time, we may find ourselves judging less and feeling freer and more at ease.

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