From Paralysis to Pardon Luke 5:17-26

Introduction:

Have you ever been in a room or at an event where the air just seems super charged with excitement and energy as if everyone there just knows something amazing is going to take place? That is the feeling that the beginning of our text in vs.17 gives us today. Mark in his account of this event tells us:

Mark 2:2 NKJV

2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.

Just as last week, when we studied the event of Jesus healing a leper, we don’t know exactly when this event takes place. We’re just told that it happened on a certain day when he was teaching. Likely, from another parallel passage, it is after Jesus journeys around Galilee have brought him back to Capernauem. The scene opens with Jesus teaching but this time, He was not teaching in the Synagogue, instead he was teaching in a house. Some seem to think this may have even been the home of Peter, in any case, we know it at least was a large home because it seems to have been able to accommodate a significant crowd of people. That crowd included an investigative body of Pharisees and lawyers (Scribes) from Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem likely sent on orders from the temple. This is the first reference in Lukes Gospel account that these groups are mentioned and we will speak more about them later in the sermon. Along with these religious investigators, a large crowd gathered in that home, Luke also tells us that the “power of the Lord was present to heal” in the room as well.

While Jesus was teaching four men (Mark tells us that detail) came carrying their paralyzed friend on a cot seeking to be healed by Jesus. But, when they arrived the place was so full that they couldn't get anywhere near Jesus. Somehow these men make their way onto the roof of the home and begin to disassemble the roof until they are able to lower their friend down in front of Jesus to be healed. Jesus, seeing this man, doesn't first pronounce physical healing but instead tells the man “His sins are forgiven” which causes an uproar among the Pharisees and lawyers who were present. Jesus has a brief debate, pronounces healing upon the man, and the paralyzed man stands, picks up his bed, and walks away completely healed. This whole scenario leaves the crowd breathless in wonder at what they had just witnessed.

Up to this point in Jesus ministry we have seen His authority over demons, the sick, and the natural world. But, here for the first time we see Jesus authority to declare sin to be forgiven; as he takes this man “From Paralysis to Pardon.”

The Paralyzed Man and the Persevering Friends (v.17-19)

The Proclamation of Pardon (v.20-24)

The Physical Healing and Its Proof (v.24-25)

The People’s Praise and Profound Wonder (v.25-26)

Let’s now make our way through the text and see what the Lord has for us from His word today.

I. The Paralyzed Man and the Persevering Friends (v.17-19)

A. The Plight of the paralyzed man (v.18)

We don’t know many details about this paralyzed man other than what is revealed to us from the text. Was he paralyzed from birth, did he have some sort of spinal injury, or contract some sort of disease? We just do not know how this man was paralyzed, we just know that he was.

Unlike the leper in v.12-16, those who were paralyzed were not outcast from society but they were stigmatized by society. You see, in these days, anyone with a disability was seen under punishment for their sin.

John 9:2 NKJV

2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

It is possible, based on Jesus response to him, that this mans condition was indeed caused by some sort of sinful act. Often people do have physical ailments that are a result of a sinful immoral deed.

Either way, we live in a sin sick and broken word so the very idea of this man having no hope is indeed because of the presence of sin and the decay it brings in this world.

B. The Persistent Friends (v.19)

This man had some great friends. When they arrived to the home where Jesus was teaching, they were met by a crowd that was so packed tight they couldn't even get near the door. But, these friends were persistent and were not going to leave until their friend was healed. When they couldn't get through the door, they went up to the roof.

Most homes in Israel at this time only had one floor. The typical roof of that day consisted of timbers laid parallel to each other about two or three feet apart. Sticks were closely laid crosswise upon the timbers, and the structure was padded with reeds, thistles, and twigs. The whole thing was overlaid with about a foot of earth, which was packed down to minimize leakage. All told, the roof was about two feet thick. During the spring, grass flourished on these primitive roofs. In larger homes, there would be tile placed on the roof on top of the compacted earth. So the paralytic’s friends had their work cut out for them—they were performing a mini-excavation.

This paralyzed man’s friends were so persistent that they dismantled a section of the roof tile in order that their friend could be lowered down on front of Jesus.

Imagine being inside the house and dirt start falling on your head wondering what was happening.

These men loved their friend enough to do whatever it took to get him to healing from his condition.

Application: This is how it is with the Lord. He loved us so much that He made the ultimate sacrifice by sending his son that we might be healed.

John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Friends, that is what genuine love does, it propels us into action. Think about your own life and the people in it. Are you willing to tear the roof off a home if it means your loved one will come to Jesus? Are you willing to pay the price so they can hear the gospel? Are you willing to sacrifice your time to seek the Lord in prayer for their salvation?

Are you and I as determined as these men were to bring someone we love to Jesus? Are you as persistent as these men?

Once they had their friend on that stretcher, there was no stopping them. They were willing to do whatever it took, to pay whatever it would cost for the repairs because they knew if he’d just get to Jesus, he’d make their friend well.

II. The Proclamation of Pardon (v.20-23)

A. The Pronouncement of Forgiveness (v.20)

This man was coming to Jesus seeking more than just physical healing, much like the leper in the previous text, this man was keenly aware of his condition. There is a reason why Jesus told this man “your sins are forgiven” that’s what this man was seeking.

Proverbs 15:11 NLT

11 Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord. How much more does he know the human heart!

Jesus didn’t just know what was on this man’s mind and heart (as the text seems to imply) but the text tells us:

Luke 5:20 (NKJV)

When He saw their faith,...

Jesus saw the faith of this man and his four friends. The faith that persisted in spite of the obstacles. A faith that really believed Jesus could change this man’s life.

The faith of this man’s friends played a key role in this man having his sin forgiven. Just as your faith can play a key role in those you love coming to Jesus.

Jesus, seeing their faith Jesus says to the man:

Luke 5:20 (NKJV)

...“Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

Why didn’t Jesus pronounce physical healing first?

Because this man needed forgiveness for his sin far more than he needed to walk. Forgiveness is the greater work. Jesus met this man’s greatest need first. I don’t think the paralytic man was disappointed in that, I think it’s likely he felt relief.

Forgiveness from sin is our greatest need and the greatest gift that God can give. THis is why Jesus came:

Matthew 1:21 NKJV

21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Forgiveness is the distinct and central message of Christianity. It is the central message of the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. If you are like the man lowered from the roof, paralyzed by sin, you can experience the same forgiveness this man experienced from the Lord Jesus.

B. Pharisees and Lawyers Protest. (v.20-21)

The only people in that room that day not encouraged by the pronouncement of the forgiveness of this mans sin were the Pharisees and lawyers who were present.

Just who were these men?

The Pharisees and Scribes (Lawyers) likely developed out of the ministry of Ezra in the Old Testament who was a priest who taught the Jewish people to obey the Law and be separate from the nations around them following their return from captivity.

In fact, that’s what the word Pharisee means, to divide or separate.

The greatest desire of the Pharisees and Scribes was to understand, magnify, and apply God’s law to their lives. Which was good and noble.

But, they quickly devolved into legalism. They were known for heaping so many burdens on the people that they made serving the Lord with gladness impossible. Add to that many of these men were known hypocrites and didn't practice what they preached. Which was Jesus greatest criticism of them.

Matthew 23:23 NKJV

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

These men were present that day likely to investigate Jesus work and words. They became a constant thorn in his side.

They were the real paralytics this day. When Jesus pronounced this man’s sin’s forgiven. The Pharisees and lawyers (Scribes) became enraged and accused Jesus of blasphemy.

Luke 5:21 NKJV

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

It is only God who can forgive the sins of mankind. They were not wrong about that, but, where they were wrong was in accusing Jesus of Blasphemy.

Blasphemy- to a Jew was the most heinous crime a person could commit because it was a direct affront to God.

Blasphemy was thought to have three levels to it:

One could blaspheme God by speaking evil of his law or the temple.

This is what Stephen was accused of in Acts 6:13 and the Apostle Paul in Acts 21:27-28.

The second level of blasphemy was to slander or speak evil or to pronounce a curse on God. (Lev 24:10-16; Exodus 20:7. )

The worst and highest form of blasphemy was to usurp the rule of God and act as if you were God yourself by claiming his rights and prerogatives. This is the accusation they were leveling at Jesus.

Only one of those things could be true, either Jesus was a blasphemer as they accused him or He was the son of God. There was no middle ground.

C.) Jesus Perceives their thoughts. (v.22-23)

The fact that Jesus knew what they were thinking and murmuring about to each other is further proof of his deity.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)

... For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Jeremiah 17:10 NKJV

10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

Both healing this man’s sins and making him to walk again were only things that could be done by the power of God.

The Pharisees would naturally think that saying someones sins are forgiven would be easier to do because that is something that no one can verify with their own eyes.

So, Jesus would go a step further and not only heal this man of his sin’s but heal him of his paralysis too. That way no one would have any doubt who he was or what he came to do.

III. The Physical Healing and Its Proof (v.24-25)

A. The Power of Jesus' Words. (v.24)

It was one thing for him to claim to have the ability to forgive sin, but he then verified his ability by healing the man. Jesus locks eyes with the paralytic in vs 24

Luke 5:24 NKJV

24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

Jesus chose to do the obvious miracle in addition to forgiving the man’ sin so that everyone there would know exactly who he was.

The power in Jesus words, demonstrated his deity. Jesus spoke forgiveness and forgiveness happened. Jesus spoke healing and healing happened. By the word of God.

B. The Proof of Healing. (v.25)

1. Immediate Restoration- This healing was complete and instantaneous, just like the forgiveness this man experienced prior.

The second Jesus pronounced healing, this man was healed.

2. Walking, Picking up the Mat- He stood to his feet, picked up his cot then walked out and headed home praising the Lord.

Maybe he danced knowing his sin was forgiven and his body restored.

Someday this man’s body would wither and fade into death but his soul would live eternally.

That is the ultimate goal of salvation, glorification.

IV. The People’s Praise and Profound Wonder (v.26)

A. Glorifying God’s Power

While the Pharisees grumbled, the people praised God for his power both over sickness and more importantly over sin.

B. Recognizing God's profound Works

Notice though, they didn't just praise God but the text says that they were “filled with dear.”

Fear-is referring to the reverence of God. That healthy fear of the Lord that leads to avoiding sin and leading godly lives to the best of our ability.

This event didn't just change the paralytic man and his friends, it changed others that day too as they placed their faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin.

Conclusion:

Friends, there is only one person who has the power and authority to forgive sin, and that person is the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are hear today and have not believed the Gospel, you are like that paralyzed man who has no hope apart from Christ.

Are you the persistent friend, willing to tear the roof off if it means seeing your loved one come to Jesus?

Are you the religious hypocrite sulking over the fact Jesus did something outside of your perceived rulebook?