This is about Jesus’ miracle of healing a paralytic man. Jesus traveled all over teaching His truth and healing the sick. When people heard He was coming home to Capernaum many people gathered to see and hear Him. The house where Jesus was staying was packed. There was standing room only.
There
was a paralyzed man who had four friends who just knew Jesus would heal their
friend. They had to carry their friend
to the home where Jesus was, because he was unable to walk. They carried him on a mat which was probably
his bed. His bed was not like the padded
mattresses we have today, but a simple mat that could be rolled up and stored
easily.
When
they reached the house and saw how crowded it was, they realized there was no
way to reach Jesus. They devised a plan
to go on the roof and cut a hole and lower their friend down where Jesus
was. They didn’t get discouraged and
give up. They were sure Jesus could heal
their friend. So they dug right through
the roof and lowered him down.
Roofs
in that day were flat and made out of branches held together with mud dried by
the sun and even sturdy enough to walk on.
I am sure everyone was surprised when he was lowered down into the
room. Jesus wasn’t angry that they had
interrupted His teaching. He probably saw
their faith and their determination put into action. He knew the man had a greater need than
physical healing. He knew his heart and
that he was a sinner.
Jesus not
only healed his physical body but restored him to the right relationship with
God by forgiving him of his sins. Jesus
told him to get up, take his mat and walk.
He didn’t forgive him because his friends had worked so hard to enter
the home. This was just proof of their
faith. They and their friend put their
trust in Jesus to heal.
When
have you needed to put your trust in Jesus when all seemed impossible?
Jesus
could have healed the man and sent him home, but instead He used this
opportunity to teach a lesson on sin and forgiveness. First He dealt with the man’s sin by forgiving
him and then He healed him physically.
Then no one could deny his miracles of forgiveness and healing.
Jesus
knew what the Scribes and Pharisees were thinking when they questioned His
authority. They called it blasphemy for
God alone could forgive sins. They were
right saying God alone can forgive sin. Jesus
told them the Son of Man has authority to forgive sin. They were wrong calling Him a blasphemer,
because He truly is God.
“Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were
thinking in their hearts.” – Mark
2:8.
Did you
see that? Jesus knew what they were thinking.
You can’t hide anything from God.
He knows what we are thinking and feeling. He knows what’s in our hearts. He hears and sees all. We are not alone in our secrets. God knows all.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight Everything is
uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Heb. 4:13.
What’s
secret do you think you are keeping from God?
Jesus
has authority to forgive sins! Nothing
or no one else can do that, but God alone.
No angel in heaven, no man on earth, no church, no minister, no priest, no
good deed, no one can take away our sin and guilt and give us peace with
God. They can only point us to Him. We have a great blessing in Jesus as our High
Priest. He gave us the privilege to go
directly to Him. He sacrificed Himself
for our sins on the cross. We can go to
Him for absolution. He alone can give us
absolution.
Jesus
is called many names in the Bible. He’s
called Messiah, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, Friend, High Priest, etc. Each name focuses on a particular aspect of
who He is to us. High Priest means one who
is holy or set apart. In the Old
Testament the high priest is the one who offered yearly sacrifices to satisfy
the God’s law. Jesus only had to offer
His sacrifice once to gain eternal redemption for all who come to God through
Him.
Do you
know Jesus as your High Priest?
After the
man was healed, he and his friends as well as all the people who saw his
healing left praising God. I am sure
they told everyone of the miracle Jesus had done. How could they keep quiet? How can you keep quiet about Jesus and what
He has done for you?
The
friends were bold in their belief and confident in Jesus’ ability. They didn’t care what other people
thought. They trusted to what Jesus
could do and were determined loyal friends who wanted to help their friend. They never gave up. They found a solution and it paid off.
How do
you show your faith?
Do you
care what others think?
How
much do you trust Jesus?
Would
you go to any lengths to save a friend or loved one?
Read
this miracle for yourself in Matthew
9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, and Luke 5:18-26.
Have a
blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.
Hope to see you here again.
-- I encourage you to trust in
Jesus.
__________________________________________
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