16: The Greatest Miracle of All (Luke 5:12-26)

A man is walking down the beach and comes across an old bottle. He picks it up, pulls out the cork and out pops a genie. The genie says, "Thank you for freeing me from the bottle. In return I will grant you 3 wishes."

The man says "Great! I always dreamed of this and I know exactly what I want. First, I want one billion dollars in a Swiss bank account." Poof! There is a flash of light and a piece of paper with account numbers appears in his hand.

He continues, "Next, I want to be healthy forever." Poof! There is a flash of light and his 50 lbs of flab vanishes, his waist shrinks, thick hair returns to his balding head, & his biceps grow to 20 inches.

He continues, "Finally, I want to be irresistible to women." Poof! There is a flash of light and he turns into a box of chocolates.

If YOU could ask for anything, what would it be? I think the average American would say:

Health - without it, money doesn’t much matter.

Relationships - some people who REALLY love us

Wealth - Who wouldn’t want more money?

Popularity, Success, Authority

…And somewhere down on the list…as people get closer to death - a right relationship with God

Jesus was no Genie, but people did come to Him asking Him to do some pretty amazing things. Today we will discover The Greatest Miracle of All.

Luke 5:12 (NIV)

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Several different untreatable skin diseases were called leprosy. Leviticus 13-14 gives the command to quarantine the person with a skin disease to see if it would heal or spread. If it continued to get worse, in order not to infect others, the person was kicked out of the community.

Leviticus 13:45–46 (NIV)

45 “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.

Can you imagine what that would mean? Fathers & mothers, sons & daughters forced to leave their families. Beyond the physical struggles, this disease caused them to become social & spiritual outcasts.

They couldn’t show up to family activities nor spiritual gatherings at the local synagogues nor Jerusalem temple.

Never again would these people experience healthy touch from a friend or family member.

Leprosy had left this guy without health, wealth, relationships, or popularity. His future was dark & lonely.

And there was no question whether the guy who approached Jesus was sick or not. Dr. Luke notes that he was covered with leprosy. With no where else to turn, this disfigured man with open soars & dirty clothes entered the town crying ‘unclean, unclean’. He approached Jesus humbly with his face to the ground and begged, his one wish was to be made clean.

He had no other options. He was desperate & needy. He trusted that Jesus COULD heal but didn’t know if Jesus WOULD heal his deadly disease.

This man’s approach is graphically illustrates how sinners like US should approach to Jesus. - humble, needy, desperate, & asking for something that we cannot do ourselves, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

It is then that we get a glimpse of more than a miraculous command from Jesus. We see the moving Compassion of Jesus. Lepers were used to people moving AWAY from them, not moving TOWARD them. But check out what Jesus did.

Luke 5:13 (NIV)

13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

Did Jesus NEED to touch him to heal him? No. Unlike others, Jesus wasn’t concerned about being infected. Instead, as NT Wright puts it, “It worked the other way round. His [Jesus’] cleanness, his healing power, ‘infected’ the man.” All those years without being touched…and the first one to touch him is a 30 year-old rabbi. And after Jesus touches him, everyone could see that the leprosy was suddenly GONE! No gradual healing of sores, no ‘take 2 pills and call me in the morning’, but immediately clean!

Luke 5:14 (NIV)

14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Mark’s gospel tells us that this guy didn’t immediately go to the temple in Jerusalem (over 60 miles) that Jesus had commanded. Jesus wanted him to obey the OT command for the priest to examine the person and declare him clean. If he ever went, after a week of sacrifices & physicals this man would rejoin his family & his community never to cry ‘Unclean’ again! I wonder how the tears flowed as he recounted the story with the family & friends he reunited with. “Yeshua, a rabbi in Galilee - I asked him to help me…and…and…he TOUCHED me. Then he said 2 of the most beautiful words I’ll ever heard: ‘BE CLEAN’ and I was!”

Luke 5:15–16 (NIV)

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

So while lines were backing up, people were traveling long distances to bring people to see Jesus, there were times when He withdrew, The Biblical examples of this point to Jesus doing this early in the morning or after a day of ministry after He had dismissed the crowd (Mark 1:35; Matt. 14:23).

If Jesus needed a consistent quite time, time to get alone with the Father & pray…then you and I might need this too. It might be morning before the children get up, or before your day gets busy. It might be evening after work, after dinner, or after you’ve put the children to sleep. But here’s the question: Do YOU often withdraw to lonely places and pray? I have to admit that I have been struggling to follow this example lately. So many things to do. So many distractions. Even replacing preparation to teach the Bible instead of taking time to TALK to the God of the Bible.

Would YOU make an appointment with God this week? When will it be? Pull out your calendar and make an appointment to talk to God…right now - for real - I’ll wait.

This next story is also found in Mark 2 where we find out that Jesus was back in Capernaum - the place where He healed Peter’s mother-in-law and many others. Through our study of Luke we have already seen Jesus heal diseases (4:38–39, 40–41; 5:12–16), cast out demons (4:31–37), and performing a nature miracle with a HUGE catch of fish as TJ taught about last week (5:4–9). But it is THIS NEXT STORY that demonstrates the Greatest Miracle of All.

Luke 5:17a (NIV)

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there.

This is the first time we see these religious leaders checking Jesus out in Luke’s gospel.

It’s the first of 28 times Pharisees are mentioned in Luke's gospel.

Pharisee means ‘separated.’ This is likely because they had separated themselves to study and interpret the Law.

This was a conservative spiritual party among the Jews - a denomination of Judaism, They had a high view of Scripture, but they also had a tradition of honoring the interpretations of rabbis past. We will talk more about why that is significant next week.

Pharisees controlled the synagogues - the places where Jesus would go to teach when he entered a town.

The Pharisees were also the ones that Jesus had the most scuffles with. That’s probably because He wasn’t afraid to point out their hypocrisy, misinterpretation, & misapplication of Scripture.

Pharisees usually had a normal day job working in the community. The apostle Paul was a Pharisee (Phil. 3:5) and you’ll remember that he was a tent maker.

But some of these Pharisees were professional scholars who specialized in interpreting and applying of the laws of God. These are the ones Dr. Luke here calls teachers of the law. Later in verse 21 he calls them scribes - which is the typical word used for them in the New Testament (63 times).

Think of Pharisees as being local Baptist pastors who work a part-time job in the community; conservative in their Biblical beliefs; whose interpretations were significantly swayed by their seminary professors.

Then think of teachers of the law as being Baptist seminary professors - highly trained with a full time job of studying & teaching Scriptural interpretation to other pastors - who then take that to the everyday folks.

Luke 5:17b (NIV)

17 …They [Pharisees & teachers of the law] had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.

These religious leaders had come from all over, including Jerusalem, where the Temple was. What Jesus was doing and teaching was attracting all kinds of people, including those who would become His greatest critics. And the story that follows shows their first clash.

Luke 5:18 (NIV)

18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.

We don’t know how much of this man’s body was paralyzed, but it is obvious he couldn’t get there on his own. His compassionate friends cared enough to bring Him to Jesus. Are you THAT kind of friend? A ‘whatever it takes’ kind of friend who brings your friend to Jesus in prayer or sets aside time to serve him/her in order to be the hands of feet of Jesus?

Once these guys got to where Jesus was, the house was full and the crowds wouldn’t move to let them in. So these ‘whatever it takes’ came up with a MacGyver plan.

Luke 5:19 (NIV)

19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

The typical flat roof in that day was a place people would go to pray. It could be reached by an outside stairway. So these compassionate men carefully carry their paralyzed friend upstairs and begin to tear through the roof to get Him to Jesus.

Imagine Jesus teaching & healing in a house full of people - with Pharisees & teachers of the law in the front rows - when SUDDENLY noise from the roof interrupts everything. The roof caves in & daylight streams through…and a man lying on a stretcher begins to descend. People start getting out of the way and the man lands right in front of Jesus, as his MacGyver buddies stare through the roof to see what would happen.

What did they want Jesus TO DO? Heal the paralyzed guy. I mean Jesus had healed a leper, cast out demons, healed fevers & various other diseases. Could He REALLY make this paralyzed man walk? This might just be THE GREATEST MIRACLE YET!

It was a dramatic moment, and all eyes shifted to Jesus to see what He would do.

Luke 5:20 (NIV)

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

WHAT?!! THAT’S not why these guys brought him! This paralyzed man wanted to walk again. All this effort…for THAT!? Maybe Jesus COULDN’T heal this one. So He responds with kind words, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

To many watching, this would have been quite a let-down.

But that’s NOT what the religious leaders in the front row were thinking!

Luke 5:21 (NIV)

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

The religious leaders consider what Jesus says to be blasphemy a word that means “to speak harm.” Blasphemy is an attitude of disrespect…directed against the character of God. Sometimes people would speak evil about God or even claim to be God. The punishment for this - for blasphemy - according to Leviticus 24:14–16, was stoning by the community.

Why did they think Jesus spoke blasphemy?

You see, WE can forgive others for their sins against US. But we CAN’T forgive their sin against God. And THIS is what Jesus claimed, to have authority to forgive sins on behalf of God.

But the Pharisees had a system - a Biblical system. And THIS wasn’t it. Want God’s forgiveness? You must come to the Temple in Jerusalem on Passover. Bring your animal sacrifices. Those animals die as an offering for your sin…Then you come back to do the same thing next year…and the year after that…and the year after that. At another time in the year, the high priest would offer sacrifices on behalf of the whole nation on Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement…year after year after year. THAT’S how God forgives sin. God doesn’t forgive sin through some Renegade Rabbi who can do circus tricks!They were speaking to one another under their breath. But…

Luke 5:22-23 (NIV)

22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

(Sarcastically) Which is easier to say?

It’s easier to SAY ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ It’s easier to SAY it cause no one can SEE it.

But if you were to SAY ‘Get up and walk’ then the audience WOULD see whether it happened or not.

But what if Jesus really COULD forgive sin? Wouldn’t THAT be The Greatest Miracle of All? Think about it. Let’s say Jesus heals this man - a great miracle, but the guy dies 20 years later. He walked for 20 years but what is 20 years of health compared to eternity in hell? From THAT perspective, The Greatest Miracle of All would be NOT be physical healing.

The Greatest Miracle of All is 4 words:

BIG TRUTH Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”BIG TRUTH Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”BIG TRUTH Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”BIG TRUTH Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”

BIG TRUTH

Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”

BIG TRUTH

Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”

I wonder what the paralyzed guy thought at this point. Had he overlooked his ULTIMATE need, because he was so focused on his immediate need?

How about YOU and me? We might be focused on what we consider an immediate need: health, wealth, successful relationships & successful business, popularity, & authority.

But what if we have ALL THAT…and die without seeking the Greatest Miracle of All - our ULTIMATE need…hearing those 4 precious words: ’Your sins are forgiven’

But again, It’s easier to SAY it cause no one can SEE it. But that was about to change.

Luke 5:24-26 (NIV)

24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, [in YOUR FACE!] took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Yes…Yes you did. You saw The Greatest Miracle of All - more than a paralyzed guy walk. You saw Jesus speak the most precious 4 words anyone could hear…

BIG TRUTH Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”BIG TRUTH Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”BIG TRUTH Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”BIG TRUTH Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”

BIG TRUTH

Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”

BIG TRUTH

Greatest Miracle: “Your…sins…are…forgiven”

Followers of Jesus. What are WE to do with this?

Thank Jesus that WE have experienced The Greatest Miracle of All! Don’t take it for granted.

As we go into the community to be the hands, feet, & voice of Jesus - let’s not meet the immediate need - and fail to address the ULTIMATE need. May we be ‘whatever it takes’ kind of friends who want our friends to hear the 4 precious words: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ May we pray for their salvation. May we tell them how Jesus offers forgiveness. On Sunday, April 6 we will meet together at the Fellowship Campus for Love LOUD - breakfast @ 8:30am, worship, & a short devotion. Then we will launch into our community to meet IMMEDIATE needs & address their ULTIMATE needs - more info next week.

Checking the Claims of Jesus?

Would you give your Christian friend the greatest privilege? Ask your questions. Let us share our story & give you our evidence for our faith in Jesus.

We are going to PRAY, SING, & give you an opportunity to respond. Ask a friend to talk or pray with you while we spend a few minutes honoring Jesus through song.