In this passage we see Jesus for who he is: a teacher, healer and the eternal Son of God. People crowded into a house to hear him teach them the things of God. Four men came carrying a paralyzed friend. They intended to get him to Jesus, fully believing that Jesus would heal their friend. When they could not get through the crowd, they went to the roof on the house, dug out a whole, and lowered their friend through the roof to Jesus.

Jesus marveled at their faith. What they did was risky. How stupid would they feel if they tore through someone’s roof and Jesus did not help their friend? The men did not give this a second thought. They knew that Jesus was the man of God they needed and now was the time. Their love for their friend and their faith in Jesus drove them to act.

Still, Jesus surprised them. Jesus surprised everyone, including we who read the gospel. The men must have wanted their friend to be able to walk, but that is not Jesus’ first concern. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (v 5) Jesus goes straight to the heart of this man’s problem. He bypasses the obvious physical need (which he will later address) and heals the main problem of the man’s heart.

Why did Jesus do this? Jesus wanted those gathered to know who he was. Jesus was not just a motivational teacher to make people feel better. He was not just a moral teacher to help people live more godly lives. He was not just a miracle man to make people feel better physically or be able to move around better. Jesus was the Savior who came to rescue people from sin, sickness and death. Jesus came to restore people to God. Jesus came to give eternal life. Jesus forgave the man’s sins.

Jesus knew the people thought he was blasphemous—only God can forgive sin. So he showed that he was able to forgive sins by healing the man who was paralyzed. Which is easier to say to a man who is paralyzed, "Your sins are forgiven," or "Take up your bed and walk?" If the power of God to heal was with Jesus, then the power of God to forgive must also be with him. Jesus said to them, "that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…"He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home (vv 10-11).

Everyone turned from staring at Jesus to looking at the man who was carried in and lowered down through the roof. He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all (v 12). And everyone’s jaw hit the floor. The power of God had just healed this man. There was no mistake and no denying it. There was still a hole in roof with his friends looking down, cheering Jesus and praising God. Everyone was cheering Jesus and praising God even if they didn’t fully understand the significance of what they had witnessed.

The big lesson of this event was to tell us who Jesus is. He is the Savior. He is the Lord. He comes with the full authority of God. He does not come as a prophet or a teacher who speaks as God’s messenger. From his lips comes the authoritative voice of God that is beyond a prophet or even an angel. Here is the Divine presence of God himself. Here you learn that your greatest needs are met when you come to Jesus. Jesus can forgive your sin. Jesus can restore you to God. Jesus can give you eternal life.

There is something else you learn about the Savior here. When you come to him in faith, he will give you what you need. The men who brought the paralytic wanted their friend to walk again. Jesus began by giving what the man needed most—forgiveness. What you need most is forgiveness from your sin. How often we think our big need is for physical healing, or financial blessings or a job or a better job. Yes, we need those things. The Lord knows our physical needs. But he tells us to seek first the most important things. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Seek first forgiveness for your own sin. Seek first the sweet presence of God in your life, and all the other things will be taken care of as well.

Jesus is here for you. Come to the Savior. If you have never made Jesus your Lord and Savior, come to him today. He will heal you in the way you need it most.

And dear Christian, don’t forget that you need forgiveness from your sin. Jesus has come so you can be clean before God the Father. Come to him again today. Receive anew the forgiveness that you need. Let him take your sin away and replace it with his righteousness. Hear the invitation he gives to you to come to him and know the power of his death and resurrection for you.