Scripture:
Luke 5:17-26 NKJV
[17] Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. [18] Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. [19] And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. [20] When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” [21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” [22] But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” [25] Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. [26] And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”
Observation:
It never took very long once Jesus arrived somewhere for the people to start gathering. Once it was heard that HE was around everyone wanted to be near HIM to glean some wisdom from HIM. The way HE spoke and how HE ministered to the people, well, to put it in simple terms, it was like no one else they had ever heard. On this particular day, the place where HE had chosen to teach didn’t really allow for a lot of people to be right in front of HIM, as it was in a house. I can picture those who had gathered jockeying for the best spot some standing in the doorway some right in front of the windows, but everyone trying to get as close as they could. Hanging on every word as HE spoke with confidence and boldness. Some who heard HE was in town had to go and get their friend who was unable to make it there on his own accord. He needed help because he was paralyzed. So his friends had heard that Jesus was in the area, and went to get him. Knowing from what they had heard that this could be the opportunity of a lifetime. But by the time they had gotten back to where Jesus was teaching it was nearly impossible for them to get their friend in front of Jesus. The crowd had gathered around the house blocking every avenue of approach. There were people everywhere, but they knew they had to get him to be seen by Jesus. The great physician. They had no doubt in their minds that if they could just get Jesus to see him…. to see his condition. If HE would only lay HIS eyes on him. This man’s whole life would change. This was the opportunity of a lifetime. But how? The crowd had all the avenues of approach blocked and no one was moving. I picture one of the men pointing at the roof, looking at one of his friends with a smirk and saying are you thinking what I’m thinking. As he looked back at him saying I see no other way. If we don’t move now, there may not be another opportunity. Getting the paralyzed man to the rooftop was no easy chore but they got it accomplished. As they began to open a hole in the roof the attention of the crowd shifted. Continuing with HIS teaching, I picture Jesus watching this man being lowered slowly by his 4 friends…. friends who were willing to go to any length to see the life of one individual changed. An individual whom they had been helping for years. They were desperate for answers, and they knew from what they had heard. This was it. As Jesus mentioned the faith HE saw in the action that was taken to get this paralyzed man in front of HIM. The statement HE made caught the ear of those who came to hear HIS teaching. Yes, the religious leaders were listening. They heard HIM say, Your sins are forgiven. That one statement changed the whole dynamic of the situation…. only GOD can forgive sins. Knowing the scripture and doing all they could to hold to the very letter of it They could not see the truth. GOD was right in front of them in the flesh. HE has manifested HIMSELF in the man who had been, just before the commotion been teaching with confidence and authority. The man who had drawn such a crowd that these men had to climb on a roof and tear a hole in it so that they could help their friend. The desperation of this paralyzed man brought a deeper issue to the surface. Is this truly GOD in flesh, or is Jesus a false teacher? As the tension grew and the confrontation came to a head. They said to themselves. No one can forgive sins but GOD. That statement brought everything to the surface. This man, this teacher, HE had made the statement now could HE back it up, and if HE did back it up, only one conclusion could be drawn. Jesus is the Son of the living GOD.
Application:
Have you ever been willing to go to any length to have an encounter with Jesus? As I’m thinking about that question, I remember a time many years ago. I was sitting in a jail cell feeling sorry for myself. I had been there for maybe 6 or 8 months and it seemed like there was no end in sight. No one was visiting me, taking my calls, or putting money on my books. It felt as though I was utterly alone. But I was desperate. I wanted something different. I just didn’t know how to get it. I had started reading the bible to pass the time, but I wasn’t really sure I believed the words that I had read. It was a book. I wanted to believe, but there was a resistance and I didn’t know what it was. One night, I was desperate. This overwhelming feeling of loneliness had come over me. No letters, no calls, no visits….. do they even care that I’m gone, do they even notice that I’m not there? That night I did something I had never done before. I hit my knees and said a prayer. It was simple and did not take long at all. The words I spoke were, “GOD, if you are real, show me that I am not alone.” That night changed my life. As soon as I got off my knees 2 letters came under my door. I had not received a letter the whole time I had been there. Not one. But that night, right after a desperate prayer. GOD heard me. HE knew I needed to see something. But if HE was real, that means my lifestyle would have to change. I couldn’t continue to live the way I was living. So, as I got off my knees, I excused what had happened. Saying to myself those letters were already on the way. There is no way that was GOD. You see, at that point, I had no idea that GOD stood outside of time. HE is not limited or bound by time HE had made time for us. HE saw the beginning of my life and the end all in one moment, and HE knew exactly what it would take to get me to surrender. That night was the beginning of a 10-year process that would end with another moment on my knees, giving my life to HIM. So my question to you today is, have you had that desperate moment? That moment in time where you are willing to risk it all. I hope that if you are reading this. You have already experienced that moment. Maybe you are one of the friends and your desire is to bring others to Jesus. Either way, this is for you. Carrying people to Jesus is as easy as a prayer. It can be said in a crowded room under your breath or all alone. Just left them up to HIM. If you know that Jesus is the answer. Then by all means do whatever it takes to get others to him. But if you find yourself to be the one who is paralyzed, and you need help to get to Jesus. I am right here. I will tear a hole in the roof, if that’s what is needed. Just tell me and we can do this together.
Prayer:
Father, this morning all we can ask is for your Holy Spirit to move. We pray that you do what only you can do. For those who need you Father, we pray for those who know you to come up around them and carry them to you in prayer, and for those who don’t know you we pray that you are orchestrating a desperate moment in their lives. Either way we know that this moment is all about you. Give us all hearts of flesh. Hearts that love those around us enough to risk everything to help them. Its in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.