At this time in Christ's teaching, crowds have grown so profuse that the skeptics are starting to appear. In this brief account we see four trusting individuals bringing their friend, a paralytic, to the Lord. They were seeking Christ for His healing. They labored to present this lame man to the Lord in the midst of His teaching.
But, what amazes me is Jesus response to this faith. "Son, your sins are forgiven." I doubt this was the intent of any of those men that lowered their friend through the roof. Certainly, sins being forgiven was a true blessing, but he was paralyzed, couldn't Christ see the need for physical healing? And yet, the skepticism here is revealed in another manner.
The teachers of the law didn't question whether Christ had healed the man or not, but rather they focused on the potential blaspheming of God in the forgiveness of this man's sins. Hello, has everyone forgotten, this man is crippled? Why are we discussing his sins?
Then, there it is, the answer to both the skeptics and the faithful friends. In verses 10 and 11 we read, "'But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...' He said to the paralytic,' I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.'" Christ saves! He heals the man both spiritually and physically and gives him new life. Praise God!
Sometimes I find myself seeking for the physical healing, skeptical of the working of the Lord, looking for answers for the here-and-now. While all the time my Father is working to complete me, seeing first my spiritual depravity and meeting my need. How amazing it is to be reminded of the work of the Lord in my life through reading about others who sought Him.
"Sometimes I find myself seeking for the physical healing, skeptical of the working of the Lord, looking for answers for the here-and-now." Amen and ditto here! He is infinitely kind in His wisdom, and wise in His kindness. Worthy of our trust!
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