Matthew 9:2-8 Mark 2:1-12 Luke 5:17-26

http://biblehub.com/parallelgospels/Healing_the_Paralytic_Let_Down_Through_the_Roof_in_Capernaum.htm

How we respond to circumstances and instructions will determine many things in and about our lives.  As Jesus went from place to place teaching and healing there were a wide variety of responses to Him.  Some were skeptical, others were jealous, some were just curious, some were filled with hatred and some responded by believing and worshiping Him.  Today’s texts demonstrate several of these responses.  Jesus had returned from His tour of the region of Galilee to Capernaum but the crowds continued to follow Him and were gathered to hear Him speak.  The crowds were large and everyone wanted to get as close as the could in order to be able to hear and see what was going on.  There were a wide variety of people in the audience that ranged from the sceptics to the believers.  The different responses that we observe are both interesting and instructive.

A RESPONSE OF FAITH: A paralyzed man desperately wanted to be healed by Jesus but there was no way he could get to the home where Jesus was by himself.  He was able to convince four men to carry him on his bed to the place where Jesus was.  When they arrive it is impossible for them to push through the crowd with the bed and get him in front of Jesus.  We can only imagine what was going on in everyone’s minds; but what the text tells us is that Jesus praised the faith of all who were involved.  The paralyzed man believed that Jesus had the power to heal him so he was willing to go out in public in a rather humiliating situation and then risk his life and be lowered down in front of Jesus from the roof.  The man’s friends also believed that Jesus could heal their friend so they were willing to carry him through the streets and then were audacious enough to climb up on the roof, dig through the ceiling and lower him in front of Jesus.  These are clear demonstrations of faith on the part of all involved.  I don’t believe that the paralyzed man was passive in the process but was convinced that Jesus could heal him so his was encouraging his friends not to give up.  The friends clearly love this man very much and agree with him about Jesus and His power.  We don’t know how much they had been exposed to the ministry of Jesus prior to this but it is clear that here response was one of faith.  Their faith moved them to action which lead to the healing of a desperate and grateful man.  This is the response that God looks for in all of our lives.  He simply wants us to believe and trust in Him.

A RESPONSE TO FORGIVENESS: Jesus sees the faith that is in the heart of the man and his friends and declares that the man’s sins are forgiven.  Jesus was able to see the content of this man’s faith and based on that faith He forgives him.  Forgiveness is always granted on the basis of our faith in the person and work of Jesus.  However, this declaration from Jesus brought about a very different response from the Scribes and Pharisees.  They accused Jesus of blasphemy because they rightly believed that only God had the authority to forgive sins.  This response clearly demonstrates that they do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah and certainly do not believe that He is God.  What is interesting is that they don’t have the courage to say anything but are just thinking these thoughts in their minds.  Jesus is able to see their thoughts and he confronts them for their unbelief.  God is never fooled by our words, actions or thoughts.  He knows all about everything that we do, say and think.  We can fool other men but we can never fool the Lord.  He knows everything about us and the truly amazing thing is that He still loves us.  Skepticism and unbelief are all too common of responses in the heart of many men.  We must be careful to guard our hearts from this tendency especially when we face difficult circumstances.  The forgiveness of our sins depends on our faith in the Lord.

A RESPONSE OF FEAR: Jesus tells the paralyzed man that he is healed and commands him to take up his bed and walk home.  Apparently this man had never walked in his entire life but Jesus enabled him to do so and even carry his pallet home.  When the people saw all that happened that day their response was one of fear and trembling.  They were awestruck by the power of Jesus to heal and the courage of Jesus to confront the Scribes and Pharisees.  Fear is different than faith, it can lead to faith but it is not the same thing.  There are many people who are awestruck by the person and work of Christ but they are still unbelievers because they don’t trust Him as their only hope for Salvation and forgives.  When we consider the greatness and power of Jesus our hearts should be filled with fear but we must not stop there.  Faith is the only means by which we can be forgiven of our sin.  The power and love of Jesus is amazing and our response to it should be faith and worship.  It is important for each of us to examine our hearts in this area because God knows everything that is in our hearts.  We may have a hard time distinguishing between faith and fear but He does not.

APPLICATION: Have an unwavering and persistent faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Trust in who He is and His exclusive ability to forgive our sins.  Recognize that all of our thoughts, actions, words and motives are clearly seen by God.  We can never hide from Him.  Fearing God is very important but it is not a substitute for faith.  We must trust and worship the Jesus with all of our hearts.