First, I wondered why Jesus was so popular that they couldn’t go straight in. Then I wondered what He thought of a man slowly descending on a mat from the ceiling. Did He smile because of their confidence in Him? Did He have a knowing look of the pain this man endured? Then I wondered what kind of friend or person this man was that they’d take such measures to help him. Finally, I wondered what kind of friends or family would go to such lengths…such a huge risk to be of help. The story is in the first three gospels, but Luke (The doctor) tells us the most. Here is what he wrote:
Luke 5:17-25 (New International Version)
One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 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.When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
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?”Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
About Holly
Great questions. I so agree that the most important issue was that his sin was forgiven. When I’m asked to pray for someone I don’t know, that is usually my first question. Do they know the Lord? We know we are in need of forgiveness daily, but I don’t want to neglect that issue. I know so many women who really rally around each other in this way, but to see men doing the same is not as common in my experience. That makes this example even more touching.
This is one of my favorite stories as well, for many of the reasons you noted. Good to see you on here sister.