I cannot imagine what it must be like to never be able to walk or run. I cannot fathom what it must feel like to never be able to stand up and stretch and move around. As a person who likes to be in control of her life, I can’t conceive how frustrated I would be and how powerless I would feel that I couldn’t do normal, everyday tasks, like buying groceries, or putting on clothes, or going to the bathroom.
It can be easy for able-bodied people to take these things for granted, to forget how many things we need our legs for. I thank God that He has blessed me with legs that can run, walk, bend, stretch, skip, jump, crouch, and squat. But the unimaginable, the unfathomable, the inconceivable, the frustrating powerlessness is a reality for many people, including the paralyzed man in Luke 5.
The paralyzed man could not walk or run. He couldn’t stand up or stretch or move around. He couldn’t do normal, everyday tasks without the help of friends or neighbors. He was powerless.
But this man had heard of a Teacher, a Rabbi who did have power. Power to heal diseases and disabilities like his own. And this Man, this Jesus was in town (Luke 5:17)! He had healed many people from all over the region. Maybe Jesus could heal him, too. He got some men to carry his bed to the place where Jesus was, but the house was so crowded that they couldn’t get in (Luke 5:18-19). However, they didn’t let this stop them from getting to Jesus-
“But finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.” Luke 5:19, ESV
Unlike most houses in twenty-first century America, homes in first-century Israel featured external stairs and flat roofs. The men carried the paralyzed man up the stairs to the roof and began removing roof tiles so that they could lower the man to Jesus. If I were the guest teacher that day, I think I’d be pretty annoyed that dust and dirt and tile shards began to fall from above by people trying to force their way in. But Jesus didn’t seem to mind. Instead, He appeared to be impressed by the men’s faith-
“And when he saw their faith, he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’” Luke 5:20
The man wanted to come to Jesus because he was physically powerless. But he was also spiritually powerless—powerless to pay for his sins, powerless to come to the Father, powerless to save himself. So, Jesus, the all-powerful Messiah, forgave him of his sins and saved him from an eternity of suffering. The paralyzed man could now look forward to a future of no more paralysis.
Some of the Pharisees and scribes in the room had a problem with what Jesus had said. They did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, so they did not believe that Jesus could actually forgive sin (Luke 5:21). Jesus, being all-knowing, knew what was in their hearts and minds and decided to demonstrate that He indeed did have the power and authority to forgive (Luke 5:22-24).
“’Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the man who was paralyzed—‘I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.’ And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.” Luke 5:23-25
To prove to the crowd that He was the powerful prophesied Messiah, Jesus chose to heal the powerless, paralyzed man. This healing was complete and immediate, and the man was finally able to walk, stand up, move around, and do normal things like picking up his bed and going home on his own. The crowd was amazed by the miracle they had just witnessed, and they glorified God for the extraordinary thing that had happened in their midst (Luke 5:26).
Maybe you can relate to the paralyzed man. Perhaps you suffer from a disability or chronic illness that makes you feel frustrated and powerless and unable to live a normal life. Or maybe you relate on a different level. Perhaps you struggle with debilitating anxiety or depression that makes you feel alone and prevents you from doing everyday tasks. If this is you today, I urge you to remember that the God we serve is an omnipotent, all-powerful God who can do impossible, extraordinary things. He is also a compassionate and merciful God who listens to the prayers of His people. Cry out to Him, and pray for healing, freedom, relief, and peace.
You may receive this healing, freedom, relief, and peace during your time on this earth, but He may not provide these things until your time on this earth is done. Whether you receive healing during this life or not, you can trust that God is faithful, depend on Him in the time He has given you, and look forward to an eternal future of no more powerlessness. What a glorious day that will be!
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
