Subscription Lists

In Matthew Chapter 9, we read of how four men carried their paralysed friend to the place where Jesus Christ was speaking and teaching. Mark tells us that Jesus was preaching the Word. The other also Gospels explain that the place where Jesus was, was rather crowded, and there was no ordinary or normal way whereby they could bring this paralysed man before Jesus Christ, so they unroofed the roof, and lowered their friend down to where Jesus was. Jesus saw their faith.

Jesus recognises faith, and Jesus also recognises where faith is absent!

Jesus speaks so graciously and powerfully to this needy person. “Your sins are forgiven.”

They had interrupted the flow of Jesus’ teaching, by doing what they did, and Jesus was not offended by interruptions when they were demonstrations of faith and confidence in Him.

Did Peter remember this, when in the home of Cornelius, he was interrupted by the Holy Spirit, when the Holy Spirit fell on his audience, and they spoke in tongues? Read of that exciting scenario in Acts Chapter 10, when the Gospel of Jesus Christ breaks out among the Gentiles for the first time.

No matter what obstacles lay in their way, they would not be put off. They were determined! How many today are determined? Faith finds a way. Faith always does.

You cannot find faith elsewhere than in Jesus Christ. Is that too strong a thing to say in our present climate? I don’t think so. It just happens to be true.

Faith is a movement of God’s Spirit towards His chosen saints, to move them to do His divine will. We need a good climate of faith when ministering in the Name of Jesus.

We see co-operation here among the friends, and with the paralysed man.

Faith will make men lift the roof, if that is what is required on certain occasions.

Faith takes to itself hands and feet and does things, and at times does remarkable things.

Would Jesus be surprised?

These friends were determined that nothing would keep them away from Jesus.

Faith may take a long time too, until the outcome of faith is seen.

You can know what is going to happen for many years before it all takes place, and becomes visible and almost so obvious, and it is all worked out so easy only to the observers, not to the individual.

What a contrast in these two groups in that home, as Jesus deals with a hopeless case. Jesus goes right to the very heart of the real problem, and puts His Finger on what is wrong. Jesus saw a deeper need. We are never more at the heart of the Gospel than when we are dealing with forgiveness.

We are in the realm of the physical and the realm of the spiritual.

Your sins are forgiven. Jesus was telling the whole company assembled that there was sin in this man’s life. Would you have liked that? It must have been necessary, else Jesus would not have said it.

Jesus brings the issue right into the open, and quite suddenly Jesus Christ is accused of blasphemy. Jesus makes the connection here between sin and sickness.

This Jesus was causing such a furore throughout Galilee.

People trudged all over the place to hear this phenomenon.

He had the authority to forgive sins, but that was their job was it not? The job of the then religious leaders!

Jesus knew what they were thinking, as they sat aloof, and apart, and at a safe distance from Jesus.

How often do we see conflict arising when Jesus ministers and speaks and teaches?

Jesus brings it to the surface, and out into the open, and there is a crisis.

“Who does HE think HE is - GOD? They could not keep their thoughts secret from Jesus. He could see right through them. Jesus is displaying classic spiritual discernment here.

Jesus was listening to their thoughts, just as He listens to ours.

They were not interested in Jesus, nor were they interested in the sick man.

Luke tells us these people had come all the way from Jerusalem.

In Scotland, people take time annually to remember those who shed their blood to give this land victory in times of war, but how many hear that Jesus Christ shed His blood to give us victory over sin, offering forgiveness and freedom and deliverance and full salvation?

A command is given. Jesus does not pray for this man to be healed, but the man who came in paralysed arose, walked off, glorifying GOD. It was the word, not the touch, that healed. Everyone was uplifted.

This man had been a hopeless case. Jesus loves to deal with hopeless cases, and Jesus wants to deal with the whole man - spiritually - emotionally - physically.

There was a fair variety of reactions and consequences as we read of awe and surprise and fear, but there was also a spirit of praise as men recognised the authority which Jesus Christ, the Son of God exercised, even though most did not know who this was on this occasion.

Healing was integral part of the work Jesus Christ came into the world to do. It was an essential element of His mission, Healing was no side issue, and it was never to draw attention to Himself, but always to meet the very real needs of others. Jesus shunned popularity and even avoided unnecessary publicity at times.

Sin and sickness were alien to the Kingdom of God and here was the King dealing with what should not be there. Jesus’ motivation was compassion, and on this occasion forgiveness enabled a man to walk and become mobile.

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Moralism