In this chapter, friends of the paralytic put forth radical effort to get help for their friend. Ignoring protocol, perceived guilt and physical obstacles, they went directly to Jesus for healing. To their surprise Jesus addressed, the underlying concern, sin.
To this day we believe calamity has to be attached to something we did wrong. “I don’t measure up to God’s standard.” Even if we deserve bad things to happen to us, how does that help?
We forget. Jesus didn’t come to condemn us. He came to save us.
“Who did sin, this man or his parents?”
Jesus continually said, “It’s not like you think.”
According to the Scriptures, “All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean…”
We must strive to reconcile with our God in spite of our circumstances.
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Chapter 12 (Part 1) – Jesus Heals a Paralytic
SOON THEREAFTER Jesus was back at Capernaum. Word spread that he was there and great multitudes came to be taught and to receive favors at his hands.
One day, as he was teaching, there was brought to him a paralytic, carried by four men. So great was the press of people, the bearers of the bed were unable to enter the doors of the house where Jesus was speaking. Accordingly they climbed with their burden onto the roof, made a hole, and lowered the pallet and paralytic into the midst of the group around Jesus. When he saw this display of faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man:
“Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.”
When they heard this, the scribes and Pharisees who were present reasoned among themselves, saying:
“Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus knowing their thoughts, said:
“What reason ye in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee’; or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But, that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins,” –
Turning to the paralytic, Jesus said:
“Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine own house.”
Immediately the man arose before the eyes of all who were there. He picked up his pallet and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
And the multitude who saw this miracle were amazed. They, too, glorified God and were filled with awe, saying:
“We have seen strange things today.”