Something Unexpected?
There is a story in Matthew, Mark and Luke about a paralyzed man whose friends bring him to Jesus.
Combining the text from all 3 accounts, I put together:
https://bible.com/bible/1588/luk.5.17-26.AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mrk.2.1-13.AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.9.1-8.AMP
But the news about Him was spreading farther, and large crowds kept gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their illnesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion]. And Jesus, getting into a boat, crossed over the Sea of Galilee and came to [Capernaum] His own city. Jesus returned to Capernaum, and a few days later the news went out that He was at home.
One day as He was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the Law sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present with Him to heal. So many people gathered together that there was no longer room [for them], not even near the door; and Jesus was discussing with them the word [of God].
Some men came carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed, and they tried to bring him in and lay him down in front of Jesus. Then they came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four men. They brought to Him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a stretcher. But finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof [and removed some tiles to make an opening] and lowered him through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.
Seeing their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], Jesus said to the paralytic, “Do not be afraid, son; your sins are forgiven [the penalty is paid, the guilt removed, and you are declared to be in right standing with God].” When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said, “Man, your sins are forgiven.”
But some of the scribes were sitting there debating in their hearts [the implication of what He had said], And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]!” “Why does this man talk that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins [remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?” The scribes and the Pharisees began to consider and question [the implications of what He had said], saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]? Who can forgive sins [that is, remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?”
Immediately Jesus, being fully aware [of their hostility] and knowing in His spirit that they were thinking this, said to them, “Why are you debating and arguing about these things in your hearts? But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? But Jesus, knowing their [hostile] thoughts, answered them, “Why are you questioning [these things] in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your mat and walk’? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven and the penalty paid,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? [Both are possible for God; both are impossible for man.]
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority and the power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home.” But so that you may know that the Son of Man has the authority and power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man, “I say to you, get up, pick up your mat and go home.” But, in order that you may know that the Son of Man (the Messiah) has authority and power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man, “I say to you, get up, pick up your stretcher and go home.”
And he got up and went home [healed and forgiven]. He immediately stood up before them, picked up his stretcher, and went home glorifying and praising God. And he got up and immediately picked up the mat and went out before them all, so that they all were astonished and they glorified and praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God and praised Him, who had given such authority and power to men. They were all astonished, and they began glorifying God; and they were filled with [reverential] fear and kept saying, “We have seen wonderful and incredible things today!”
Jesus went out again along the [Galilean] seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them.
We see that:
- Jesus was drawing a crowd, but rather than seeking celebrity, He sought seclusion and returning home.
- Even when home, He was teaching, and the crowds and the critics followed Him. He allows all and turns none away.
- Some particular men did everything they could to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus (it’s easily presumed for physical healing)
- Jesus recognized the faith in their hearts, and pronounced their friend free from sin (not necessarily the outwardly visible healing they were hoping for by bringing their friend to Him)
- Jesus sees the anger and hostility boiling up in hearts around Him and addresses it directly (this is expected and He is prepared for it). He speaks to the state of their hearts.
- To the ones who may have thought He was a fraud who couldn’t heal this man who had used “forgiving his sins” as an “easy out” of proclaiming instead something that couldn’t be proven — He probes them to consider “what is actually easier” emphasizing that He is not lying and is not a fraud. Presumably provoking them further with such a claim.
- And to the religious ones who were not focused on the healing of the people but were there to examine and test and critique Him, His claim prevokes them in a different direction with this very same claim. He is willing to turn the whole crowd against Him in order to prove this point.
- He proves his authority to both forgive sin and to heal — shattering everyone’s expectations and understanding in that moment of what was really happening before their eyes
- Everyone was awestruck and praises God
- Jesus keeps on teaching
It’s pretty awesome how every step of the way, Jesus is breaking through people’s expectations in a profound way to reveal that He sees them at a spiritual level — He sees what is in their hearts. He knows what truly matters most. And He speaks to that directly, like a surgeon offering to cut out a cancer.
And His claims in this story leave little room for second guessing who He is saying (and more importantly, proving) who He is.
What is most shocking and unexpected in this story isn’t these men’s great faith or great determination — they are not the heroes of the story here. This reminds me that when I’m tempted to “do great things for Jesus”, that there is always a humbling yet loving demonstration that He is greater and that He is the real hero. And He does it not in some prideful way of a competitor one-upping me, but in a way that opens my eyes to true wisdom and understanding in a new way that has me astonished and grateful for His mercy and His grace, while fearfully in awe of His holiness.
Thank you Jesus!
Harold J. Ballinger 