Matthew 9:4-6 (NIV)
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, `Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, `Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
Mark 2:8-11 (NIV)
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, `Get up, take your mat and walk’? 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.”
Luke 5:22-24 (NIV)
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 that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
The room was stirring with anticipation as the young man was lowered through the roof and set before the teacher. The people had gathered with differing motives. Many recognized Jesus as one who taught with a spiritual authority they had never heard before. They had seen him heal the sick and cast out demons. To them, obviously Jesus was the promised Messiah!
Obviously? To many perhaps. But it was not that obvious to the religious leaders who supposedly “knew” what to look for in a Messiah. It was not that obvious.
In responding to the faith of the young paralytic and his friends who had lowered him through the roof, Jesus knew that most people there in that room believed that the man’s suffering was the result of sin– either his own or his parents. In responding to him by saying Your sins are forgiven, Jesus was offering restoration on two levels, both spiritual and physical.
While most of the people marveled at the demonstration of God’s power and compassion, the reaction in the hearts of the teachers of the law was one of religious indignation. Blasphemy, they thought. Only God can forgive sins.
They were right about that. Only God canforgive sins. But they missed the obvious. God was the one forgiving sins, and his name was Jesus!
Is it possible to get so bound up in our expectations about God that we miss seeing him at work? If you had been present in the room when Jesus restored the paralytic, would you have said “Amen” or “Ahem” ? Would the mark of God’s touch been obvious to you or would you have been oblivious to it?
May we not miss you, Jesus, as you are at work restoring the lives of people around us. We praise you. In your name, AMEN.
