“He said to the paralyzed man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.”
Luke 5:24-25
Since I was a child, I have loved the story of the paralyzed man being lowered through the roof to Jesus. I always admired the man’s friends. And I still fill up with joy when I read about the miraculous healing. Before we get lost in the details of this beautiful narrative, we must pay attention to the order of events in the reading. Like a silly song we used to sing with our kids when they were little, “Socks on First, Shoes on Second,” the order makes all the difference.
Notice that Jesus first forgives the man of his sins, and then He heals him. This highlights the sobering truth that physical wholeness is not our primary need. We all need forgiveness, no matter what our ability level may be.
Knowing this, we can begin to tear down the barriers that often exist in our churches between the able bodied and those with disabilities. Since we are all sinners, we are more alike than we are different. God looks lovingly on us as men, women, and children made in His image. He knows our deepest need, a need He met at the cross.
Notice that Jesus first forgives the man of his sins, and then He heals him. This highlights the sobering truth that physical wholeness is not our primary need. We all need forgiveness, no matter what our ability level may be.
Knowing this, we can begin to tear down the barriers that often exist in our churches between the able bodied and those with disabilities. Since we are all sinners, we are more alike than we are different. God looks lovingly on us as men, women, and children made in His image. He knows our deepest need, a need He met at the cross.
Scripture Focus
Luke 5:17-26
Insight
Praise the Lord that Jesus has forgiven me, a spiritually paralyzed man in desperate need of His grace!
Bible In A Year
- Job 7-8
- Psalm 46
- Luke 9
