Luke 5:20 – December 6, 2021

When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20 NABRE                

Men bring a person paralyzed to Jesus for a healing as He is teaching, they cannot reach Jesus and take him to the roof, and lower him on his stretcher in front of Jesus. Recognizing their faith Jesus says your sins are forgiven. Perhaps not what the man was hoping to hear but it was only a first step in the healing process. Jesus knew His statement would get a reaction from those listening, particularly the religious leaders. Jesus tells the man to rise, take his stretcher and go home and when he does all are astonished. The things done through Jesus are called incredible by those watching. It is blasphemy for Jesus to forgive sins, God alone can forgive sins. What strikes me is what if Jesus is not forgiving but simply recognizing because of faith He is aware the man’s sins are forgiven by God. I think most reading this incident look at Jesus as the forgiver though we don’t’ really know the status of the man’s sins at all. At the time people would say the man is paralyzed because He is a sinner and it is only through the forgiveness of his sin may he be healed. If the man remains a sinner he cannot be healed because God’s punishment of paralyzation will remain on a sinful person. It is not clear what Jesus is really doing and how much is Him recognizing God’s action though their faith. The act of bringing the man before a man of God and trusting is a great act of faith, by itself it removes sin and heals.

Over and over again it is faith that is at the heart of healing and forgiveness of sin. Jesus’ presence in this story brings a unity of faith and miracles, we should expect the same today without Jesus physical presence, simply His spiritual intervention.

Is God the only forgiver of sins? Is there someone who you see is forgiven? 

Over and over again it is faith that is at the heart of healing and forgiveness of sin. Jesus’ presence in this story brings a unity of faith and miracles, we can depend on same today without Jesus physical presence, but His spiritual intervention. Click To Tweet

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