Luke 5:17-26
17 One day He was teaching, and there were some 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 for Him to perform healing.
18 And some men were carrying a man on a stretcher who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him.
19 But when they did not find any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.
20 And seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”
21 The scribes and the Pharisees began thinking of the implications, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, except God alone?”
22 But Jesus, aware of their thoughts, responded and said to them, “Why are you thinking this way in your hearts?
23 Which is easier, to say: ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
25 And immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.
26 And they were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God. They were also filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today!”
Removed Roof
Deliverance begins with the forgiveness of sin
A paralyzed man was lowered down in front of Jesus through a roof that had been removed. First, let us take note of two points. (1) Jesus saw their faith. “Their” refers to the paralyzed man and his friends. Here we see the blessing of working together while sharing faith. (2) Before healing the illness, Jesus declared, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” To those who were expecting healing, Jesus provided something even better. In our lives as well, there are times when our human desires do not align with God’s answers. However, when we look back later, we come to understand that God’s plan was the best. Jesus showed that every work of deliverance begins with the declaration of the forgiveness of sins. When we have “peace with God,” our way of life changes (Rom. 5:1). Do you need deliverance now? If so, first examine yourself to see whether you have “peace with God.”
The authority to forgive sins is only with God
The scribes and the Pharisees made two judgments in their hearts. (1) Only God has the authority to forgive sins. (2) Therefore, Jesus, who declared the forgiveness of sins, has committed blasphemy against God. Their reasoning was half right and half wrong. Seeing through their logic, Jesus said this: “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” (v 23). Of course, for Jesus, saying “Get up and walk” is the easier of the two, but from a human perspective, it seems more difficult because the result can be visibly confirmed. When Jesus said, “I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home,” the paralyzed man immediately picked up his stretcher and went home, glorifying God. Jesus referred to Himself as “the Son of Man.” That was a declaration that He is the Messiah. Through the healing of the paralyzed man, it was made clear that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins. The paralyzed man, who had been brought lying on a stretcher, now carried that very stretcher on his shoulder as he went home. In a spiritual sense, what kind of stretcher are you lying on right now? You too can rise by the word, “Get up and walk,” and come to carry that stretcher. At that moment, that stretcher will become a tool through which you praise God and bear witness.
Today's prayer
Gracious God, I too once walked in sin, but was saved through Jesus Christ. I thank You that I have been set free. What was once a burden to me has all been turned into benefit. Please use me to share the joy that comes from peace with God. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.