Walk Of Life – Day 16, May 2022 – Thoughts From The Words Of Christ

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26)

After two days of travel and ministry work, Lord Jesus finally returned home to Capernaum.  After a busy day of work, when you go home, you just want to relax and rest. But for the Lord it was very hard thing to find as crowds of people would gather when He would be present at home.

This is a story of a paralytic been healed by Christ. Four group of people were present at his home – Lord Jesus, the crowd, the people who brought the paralytic and the Pharisees. These are the insights from this miracle.

Power of Fellowship
“Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.” Luke 5:18,19

We see here that the paralytic who is not able to move due to his sickness had prayerful fellowship with others. The men who carried him to Lord Jesus must have been strong, prayerful, determined and believing in Christ. When they saw that they could not take him through the door, they did not give up. Their faith in Christ motivated them to find a way which enabled the healing.

God wants us to have such fellowship with one another. When you find a friend whose faith has become weak or who has gone astray, then others should make every effort to prayerfully support and help that person. Such fellowship leads to friendship with God. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”” Luke 5:20

Power of Knowledge
^“ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”” Luke 5:21

The Pharisees were keeping a close watch on the Lord not that they were believing but with a motive to find fault and accuse Lord Jesus. The Pharisees were not able to understand that “the law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.” Hebrews 10:1.

Yet the power of the knowledge of God’s Word saved many who earnestly seeked the Messiah, Jews and Gentiles alike. It is better to have the knowledge of truth. When I say this, I think of people of other faith who learn the scriptures to find faults and persecute the Christians through the media. The need of the hour is to pray for them as all scriptures are God breathed, alive and active and can convert these persecutors into preachers like in case of Apostle Paul.

Power of God’s Spirit
“Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”” Luke 5:22-24

Lord Jesus knew what the Pharisees thought but He did not rebuke them in anger. God’s spirit in Christ helped him to respond patiently. He explained the need of repairing the inner spirit of the paralyzed man first which would lead to his physical healing. He also wanted them to know that He does everything with the power of God’s spirit.

Power of Healing
“Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.” Luke 5:25

When Jesus forgave the man, he was completely healed in spirit and in body. His encounter with divinity made him praise God in truth and in spirit.

Power of Testimony
“Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”” Luke 5:25, 26

When the crowd and the helpers of paralytic witnessed this miracle all praised God. They also testified to many and the crowd kept increasing day by day to listen and learn from Lord Jesus.

I pray that God will help us to grow in fellowship with one another and in knowledge of the truth. May God help us to surrender and let the Holy Spirit work in us to testify about the good things He has done for us. Amen.