So, they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 5:17-20

For Meditation

Why did Jesus choose to forgive the paralyzed man before healing him? His friends brought him to you for the healing of his obvious problem. So why this “your sins are forgiven” business, Jesus?

The core of all human sicknesses is sin. That’s the Eden story and the legacy of our first parents. The men presented two situations to Jesus to deal with, but they knew only of one. No one goes around singing, “I am sick with sin.” The only person who knows the suffering of the unrepentant sinner is God. So, Jesus, by dealing with the sin of the paralytic man, demonstrated His deity.

Sin is weightier than any physical illness. It has eternal consequences. Physical infirmities discomfort us for now but follow no one into eternity. The sin situation of the man was the priority, and the Master Healer made the call.

 By choosing that route, Jesus dealt with the heart before the body. Just think about the day your partner forgave some serious offense you thought would end your relationship. Feel the lightness and joy when the forgiveness lifted the burden from your conscience! Only the paralytic knew what Jesus had done for him. He is the only one who felt the joy the forgiveness brought to him. And that is what Christ does the best. He forgives our sins and then brings vitality to our bodies.

So, bring your sickness to Jesus for healing, and receive grace to meet your needs. But be ready for the shock of your life when He touches your heart first for cleansing. And can you still love Him if He chooses not to deal with your physical malady?

Unconditional love! That is the heart God desires from us, and that which receives special grace.