TEXT:

‘They couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”’ – Luke 5:19-20 NLT

THOUGHT:

Luke chapter 5 is full of wonderful events. After using Peter’s boat to preach to the lakeside crowds, Jesus rewards him with a miraculous catch of fish. This touched Peter deeply, causing him to declare his sinfulness (v9-10). Jesus replied, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” What a catch of men started happening. First Peter, his brother Andrew, James and John (v11); then a leper miraculously healed (v12-16); next the paralytic (v17-26) and finally Levi the tax collector deserts his office desk to follow Jesus (v27-32). Truly Christianity is for the whole world and that includes anyone reading this.

Today’s Teaching focuses on the healing of the paralytic and how this miracle can greatly stimulate our journey of faith.

• God is ready to heal whatever the congregation’s attitude – ‘the power of the Lord was present to heal’ v17

This congregation was largely made up of Pharisees and teachers of the law. They had come from every place in Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem. They were not shouting, “Hallelujah, Amen!” to what Jesus was teaching. They were arguing, even seething over what He was saying. But even in that antagonistic cauldron, God’s power was present and ready to heal the one who had faith and asked for it.

Something similar had happened in Nazareth, Jesus’ home city. All He could do there was lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them (Mark 6:5). If only they had responded in faith. Then Jesus would have been able to do so much more as He had done in other places.

• Obstacles to being healed can be overcome – ‘So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus’

The paralysed man could not get to Jesus by himself but thank God he had four friends who were determined to do just that. No one was willing to give up their place in the room for the stretcher party but they did not allow the crowds to stop them. They went up on the roof, broke it open and lowered down the stretcher, much to the disgust of those getting showered with dirt and dust. Desperate times needed desperate measures. Those friends were not prepared to wait, it had to be that day and Jesus commended their faith.

Today, if you hear His voice, do not delay in responding, nor harden your heart, for a miracle is waiting for you too!

• Jesus settled the sin question once and for all

Harsh religion usually taught, the greater the illness, the greater the sin. Jesus did not come to condemn but to save. He had earlier demonstrated that when the leper asked him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean”. Jesus was willing and healed the leper immediately.

Perhaps everyone knew this paralytic was a sinner and his illness was the result of it. Maybe this was the reason why no one was willing to make room for the stretcher-bearers. But faith will always make room in the presence of God.

Jesus settled any accusation of sin with an emphatic, “Your sins are forgiven”. He made sure the paralytic would die knowing his sins were forgiven. Dealing with sin is always more important than being healed. What about you? Do you know that Jesus has forgiven you all your sins? This statement enraged those religious leaders. If they couldn’t find fault with the one needing healing, their next step was to attack the healer (Luke 6:6-11).

• Healing confirmed outwardly what had taken place inwardly

In response to their arguing, “Who can forgive sins but God?” Jesus said, “I will prove it. Arise, take up your bed and walk”. The paralysed man did just that and carried his bed home, leaving his four friends to repair the roof! What a celebration in the healed man’s home. What consternation and confusion engulfed the religious leaders for they loved to condemn.

Because Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and for ever, He can do the same for you too. The most important thing is to know your sins are forgiven. Then allow His healing power to touch every part of your sick body and make you well.

Easter celebrates the One who rose from the dead and sent out His believers into all the world to demonstrate that resurrection through preaching and healing the sick.

O come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for You!