2023 Lessons From A Child's Favorite Miracle Story

This true Bible story was one of my Sunday School favorites growing up. Maybe it was yours as well ranking right up there with David and Goliath. I was drawn to the story by the healing and the great lengths the friends went to - to bring him to Jesus! Oh to have friends like! Lying on a bed mat every day – The man is not tired, sleepy or even sick. He’s paralyzed. In order to leave the house at all he has to rely on others to carry him. In that day and age, his condition carries a lot of shame and repelled others from getting too close – but not his friends.

Suddenly showing up one day – they burst into his room - shouting with excitement Jesus is here! Pointing toward the street - He is at Peter’s house just down the road. Before he knows it, his friends have him up off the ground to bring him to Jesus. They all heard about Jesus this healer – not just rumors or hype – but convincing testimony. Off they go. Getting within eyesight of the house, they freeze in their tracks – a crowd already surrounds the house. There’s no way in. Our text adds that among them are Pharisees and Teachers of the Law checking this Jesus out – Many more were drawn to Jesus hoping for something spectacular to happen.

Determined not to give up – they go to the roof. Whether removable tiles like our modern landscaping stones - or other pieces of clay they work to make an opening. It’s a wonder no one stopped them but everyone was so fixated on Jesus they weren’t noticed. Carefully lifting the man to the roof they being to lower him through the hole – the crowd was amazed at this sight – even Jesus stops in midsentence and looks up. Within moments, the paralyzed man is before him.

Jesus looks at the paralyzed man. Then he looks up to the friends and back to the paralyzed man once again. Verse 20, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friends your sins are forgiven.” Forgiven? What is Jesus talking about? His friends brought him to be healed not forgiven! But what Jesus says is not only for the paralyzed man’s sake but also for the crowd.

Quick as a flash, the scribes and Pharisees are scowling. This man is acting with authority that only belongs to God. Who does he think he is? He’s failed our litmus test. This proves it – Jesus is a major troublemaker. Jesus knows their thoughts.

To them Jesus poses a question: Which is easier? To say your sins are forgiven OR take up your bed and walk?

Is it a trick question? On the one hand it is easy to speak gibberish and say your sins are forgiven. Who would know? To say take up your bed and walk demands impossible healing – failing would make him a mockery.

On the other hand - to say your sins are forgiven is blasphemy.

So what does Jesus do?

Jesus ties the two together to prove who he says he is. 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.

The man’s eyes grow wide with excitement – he feels a sensation in his body he hasn’t felt before or at least in a long time – he feels his feet touching the fabric of the cloth – his hands move a little and feel the ropes holding him aloft – Then He jumps up – rolls up his mat – waves his hands in the air and makes a circle looking at everyone around him -while many are strangers too him – he sees some familiar faces who are shocked in astonishment – He cries out praise to God - and with his mat tucked under his arm – heads home on his own two feet.

As children hearing this story for the first time, we were so caught up in the miracle of healing and the efforts to lower this man to Jesus - the miracle of grace slips right by us. Jesus tied forgiveness and healing together in a marvelous way. As the Son of God he held the majestic power of God to do amazing things and the authority to forgive sin. Now it is the church that is commissioned by Jesus to share the news of that grace-filled forgiveness while also showing love. Spirit anointed; we carry on what Christ began doing to the best of our ability. Sometimes it is thrilling – for example, the emotions peaking Wednesday night when so many first time guests came and the soup kettle hit bottom. Other times it is discouraging when someone eagerly pledges to return and doesn’t.