Jesus Both Forgives And Heals.

JESUS BOTH FORGIVES AND HEALS.

Luke 5:17-26.

This passage gives us an example of the type of holistic healing which Jesus offers.

We have a patient closed out from the ministry of Jesus, whilst there were Pharisees and lawyers there who did not think themselves sick. However, this sick man had very resourceful friends.

It is important that we do bear our friends and loved ones to Jesus for both their physical wellbeing, and for the healing of their sin-sick souls. Jesus sees our faith, and hears and answers our prayers.

It is what Jesus says to the patient which causes a storm amongst His critics. “Man, your sins are forgiven you” (Luke 5:20).

This gave rise to the accusation of blasphemy which would eventually lead Jesus to the Cross. “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Luke 5:21). Yet ‘God our Saviour’ (cf. Luke 1:47) and ‘a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord’ (cf. Luke 2:11) have already been identified with each other in this Gospel.

Jesus makes it simple for the Pharisees. Having healed the man’s soul, our Lord now demonstrates His authority by pronouncing words for the healing of the patient’s body. There is a hint here that salvation is not only the forgiveness of sins, but also the healing of sin-damage.