Sin and Health

Matthew 9:1-7(NKJV)

1So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 

2Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

3And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

4But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 

5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 

6But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 

7And he arose and departed to his house.

Verses like this have always troubled me.  It seems to say that the guy is paralyzed because of sin in his life.  I've seen some Christians use verses like this one to say that it is sin that causes all of our problems. 

In some sort of metaphysical way I suppose that is correct but in a real life way I don't buy it. 

Let's take a paralytic for example.  It well could have been sin that caused the paralysis.  The person could have been out drinking and driving and gotten in a wreck.  On the other hand the person could have been born that way.  What sin did they commit?   

I am especially troubled by this verse because it is said by Jesus himself.  I am always loath to take exception to anything that comes straight from Jesus. 

Oh well, one of those things that I am sure the Holy Spirit will help me to understand more clearly when I need to understand it!