The Bible talks about a man who was paralyzed. He obviously needed to be healed but how was he supposed to get to Jesus? Did he have enough faith that Jesus could heal him? Did the man still have hope for a miracle?
We read that Jesus came into Capernaum and was teaching in a house. The crowd was so large you could not fit anyone else inside. There was no room for them to enter through the door. And in the crowd, Luke tells us there were Pharisees and doctors of the law from Galilee, Judaea, and Jerusalem. Luke also says, "The power of the Lord was present to heal them." I love that he included that. The presence of God was in that place and healing virtue was flowing.
How can a paralyzed man hope to get to Jesus in a crowd of that size? He had four friends who carried him on a cot to Jesus but after trying to get in, and seeing no other way, they carried him up to the roof and began disassembling it so they could create an opening large enough that they were able to lower the man down in front of Jesus. Because of their faith, Jesus healed the man. We do not know if the man believed Jesus could do it, but we do know that Jesus was moved by their faith.
Matthew 9:1-2 And He entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into His own city. And, behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Mark 2:1-5 And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that He was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the word unto them. And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Luke 5:17-20 And it came to pass on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before Him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when He saw their faith, He said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
Jesus knew the statement, "Thy sins are forgiven," would be controversial particularly with the Pharisees and doctors of the law. He could have said a lot of things to the man to heal him, but He chose to say this. I think it is for more than one reason. If the paralysis came upon the man because of sinful living, which is a real possibility, then Jesus would be giving the man a warning that He was healing the man and forgiving the sins, but not to go back to the old way of living. It was also to demonstrate His power.
Matthew 9:3-6 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
Mark 2:6-11 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in His Spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (He saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
Luke 5:21-24 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (He said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
Jesus did not need to take a vote among the religious leaders and scribes to see if He could heal this man. Jesus did not need permission to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven." These things displayed the power of God and because of the large crowd that day, many were able to thank God and praise God for the miracle that took place before their very eyes. When Jesus told him to take up his bed, he did exactly that! Look at what our text says about this miraculous healing.
Matthew 5:7-8 And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Luke 5:25-26 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
Imagine the jubilee of the paralytic and his friends as they walked home. He was carried in and under the power of Almighty God, he walked home completely healed and forgiven. What a celebration! Those who saw it were in awe, amazement, and fear saying they had never seen someone healed that way and how strange it was to them.
Friends, regardless of what you are facing, God has a purpose and a plan for your life. He will not force you to walk in that purpose or to follow His plan, but He definitely has it all figured out. If you will trust Him, He will make a change in your life, too. Do you need healing? Do you need to get closer to Him? Are you in need of forgiveness? Call upon the name of Jesus and you will receive your healing. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, according to James 4:8. If you need forgiveness the Bible says in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Don't put it off. Don't wait. Do not think you have plenty of time. Sunday my dear brother-in-law and my sweet sister were riding a motorcycle like they had done hundreds of times before. The weather was great for taking a ride and with helmets on they rode familiar paths. It was a day like any other. Only this time they were killed in an accident as someone hit them. I am rejoicing in knowing these powerful prayer warriors lived for God with everything they had. Often they would call me and sing to me and pray over me and give me encouraging words as I fought one battle after another. They were the first to cheer me on with my blog posts, YouTube videos, and prayer journals and things I made with Blue's Blessings. They are no doubt in the arms of Jesus and for that I am forever grateful. They made the decision to place their hands in the Master's and they never looked back.
You are not promised tomorrow. You are not promised your next breath. God wants you to be His child. Join His family by asking Jesus to come into your heart and save you. Admit you need a Savior and ask Him to forgive you for things you did knowingly and unknowingly. He is a loving Father who will accept you and heal you, help you, forgive you, and love you into His Kingdom.
I hope something I shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way! God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
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