As a minister, I am continually reminded of the many burdens people bear in this life - the emotional scars, the painful memories, the gut-wrenching guilt and feelings of regret. Sometimes the stories I hear are staggering. Really, there are three kinds of people in this world: those who need to be forgiven, those who need to be forgiving of someone else, and the largest group is those who need to be both forgiven and forgiving.

Forgiveness must come before healing. That's why, in our New Testament story this morning, Jesus first says to the paralyzed boy, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Then He says, "Rise up and walk." Forgiveness is the foundation of healing, while the lack of forgiveness means continued suffering and brokenness.

You can see the need everywhere around you. It's in the p…