17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
Luke 5:17-28
I’ve heard many talks on this passage in the Bible. But the story has never ‘flowed’ like I thought I should. It had to be important, three of the disciples recounted it in their story of Jesus. Why?
If you’ve never read the story before, read it again. If you know it by heart, does it kind off surprise you like it does me every time? Jesus has been in town and is talking and healing the sick and injured. He’s bringing hope. And the teachers of the day are watching him closely…not sure what to believe, but not daring to say much since, look at him, He’s healing the sick! But then all is disrupted by this man being lowered from the roof by ropes.
So. My question today. Jesus knew that he needed to hear the words ‘your sins are forgiven.’ Why? Why him?
I’ve heard the thought that this is specifically referencing the belief in Biblical times that an infirmity was believed to be caused by a parent’s sins (boy I’m glad this is not the belief today…or is it?). We’ve seen this referenced in the Bible several times (John 9:3). So Jesus cut to the core and simply forgave first, indicating that this man’s paralysis wasn’t from his parents.
The testing of the man’s faith is another concept I’ve heard. The paralytic wanted healing, to walk, and Jesus wanted to see if the man would still be faithful if he was not healed at first. When he agreed to be forgiven, then Jesus willingly brought physical healing.
And another, that Jesus was simply baiting the condescending Leaders of the local church, telling the crippled man one thing when really all he wanted was to walk. It was a life lesson for the purpose for an illustration for the disciples and future Christians
Or maybe, maybe this WAS exactly what the crippled man needed to hear. Once a young healthy and vibrant man, he and his friends caught a neighbor’s horse, tried to ride it, and they ever after suffered the results of poor judgement. Him…shriveled, not able to walk again, and his friends, good friends but guilt-ridden, vowing to stay by his side but reliving the day…the moment… over and over. So when they heard about this MAN who could heal…they all thought immediately of their friend…but all also felt their souls bare, their guilt tempting them that Jesus might heal GOOD people…but not mistakes.
Jesus saw the effort…everyone did. Jesus saw the need for healing of the contracted, bent extremities…and the broken souls. And his heart broke. It would have been so easy to touch the man’s legs, to hear the crowd gasp again in praise and awe as this broken man walked out. But he saw the healing that the man…and his friends…really craved.
The censure and questioning looks of those around him, when the words were spoken ‘your sins are forgiven’ almost didn’t register to these five. Jesus was intensely looking into the cripple’s eyes….their eyes were locked….the four friends above, hands still on the rope used to lower him, frozen, their eyes on the man who answered the questions they’d asked for years…was it possible to be…free?
Slowly, sounds registered…the grumbling of previously amazed followers and scholars…Jesus turns quickly, eyes darkening and a slight edge to his voice… “I DO have the authority to forgive…and so you know it, he can now walk, too.”
The crippled man, the friends, finally whole again. Not just because they’d met a man who could restore health, but because they’d met a God who could restore a life more abundant and free…who could see through the broken to what was really needed.
He can do the same for you, too, you know. “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
