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.
This story has some carryovers that we would do well to think about and pray on.
First, if the story was replayed today in 2023– like the scribes and the Pharisees – even with the healing many would still see Jesus as the villain just like the church is pictured today. Jesus, it’s all good and great to be an agent of healing but mind your own lane – keep faith out of it – but the sad thing is such brokenness in one’s life can’t be healed without Christ. These last two weeks – even just coming to a crisis response as a healing and listening presence on request of teachers who contacted me was met with suspicion and rejection. Keep faith out of it - an administration saying I could not come. Feeding America’s rules are further tightened to do the same – As an agent of healing you are welcome to provide food - but it is harmful to inflict your faith on others. No more opening the distribution with prayer as we once did. But it’s not just church -- From involvement in our neighborhoods to the Christian as teacher in a public school or any Christian in everyday life, we are welcome – at least for now, but faith is not. In just a couple generations - We have moved so quickly from the church being essential to a community – to the church being not all that important – to the church and individual Christians being held with suspicion and scowled at like the Scribes scowled at Jesus. Luke doesn’t offer us the post game report for the scowling scribes – but future stories indicate the lines of contention are firmly in place against Jesus. We should not expect it to be any different.
Second it comes as no surprise to you by now, we live we live in a community with many needs including poverty and homelessness. Jesus drew the crowds to him for many reasons. Most weren’t seeking grace even though he alone had grace to give. They came for other reasons – to check out Jesus – to be entertained – to see a miracle – even to be healed. Like the crowds coming to Jesus – its sobering to realize how many will come to receive much needed food and help and community. Even our website stats verify this. More than any other area – the pantry and the food truck schedule get twice as many views as anything else. But rather than come away discouraged, Jesus sees what is on our hearts. Indeed, the message of the Gospel is what we are here for. Grace is why we offer the ministry we do -but it is not why they came - yet the food and the personal care items bear witness of Christ’s love anyways – We are the friends carrying the bedmat – We are the ones who have the opportunity to say Jesus is here! And he is going to return! Other times, we are the friends who lift up prayer requests for others. And we are learning to be more intentional - Our greeters in some way shape or form will mention faith, the Gospel, and prayer. We pray that God uses their time here as catalysts and trigger points to spark desire for the Gospel. And we are constantly seeking how we can do both better. And we would covet your prayers to be even more effective- that with grace and healing in tandem – God is praised.
Finally it’s a wonderful exercise to ponder on something no explanation is offered.– The friends of the paralyzed man sought his healing. Jesus brough grace and healing together, but notice how he prioritized grace first and healing second. What’s behind the priority on grace first and healing second. One takeaway for us is God’s kingdom challenges and overcomes every power that tries to cripple or destroy human life – including the twin scourges of sin and death being replaced by forgiving grace and healing..
What are some ways in which we imitate Christ? It begins with each one of us asking and answering an honest assessment question– What is it that draws people to me as a follower of Christ? Why do I have this reputation of being good and kind – Why is it people turn to you and me to confide in and share their problems? Often the answer is because this is who in Christ you and I are made to be – It’s so wonderful too to have friends or host or have the reputations of being good and kind people – it draws people to us more so than we realize – the person who wants to talk to us – to seek advice or direction – but more than just offering a ministry of healing - these too are all grace seed planting opportunities not to be missed. Often times I admit getting so caught up with healing without prioritizing grace. That’s where we can follow up – a text or phone call offers a great second opportunity to do so.
That is where we can realize as the body of Christ what Philippians 2 holds up that God works within us to will and to do according to his good pleasure. At the forefront with all we do whether food ministry or even with Cadets and GEMS – a neighbor, a waitress or cashier a person in the waiting room at the doctors office– whatever the encounter – the love of Christ for others is the heart of the Gospel in action that may one day lead to harvest. With God’s full and free forgiveness in Jesus Christ, he heals us at the core of our being, and its healing power radiates throughout our lives and touches others.
