Is Forgiveness Enough?

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 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. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 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?” 

Luke 5: 18-21

The story tells what the Pharisees and teachers of the law thought upon hearing the words of Jesus, but what about the paralyzed man?   When Jesus said I forgive you, instead of, I heal you I wonder what raced through the paralyzed man’s mind.  The obvious response expected of Jesus by this man, his friends, and the crowd watching was to heal his broken body. Instead he stunned everyone by forgiving his sins.   And that, I think, was Jesus' plan:  to show the world the greatest gift he could give had nothing to do with the man's physical state. 

To place myself in the sandals of the paraplegic, would I be satisfied to have my sins forgiven but left lying on the mat.  What do I ask for and what do I expect from Jesus?  How can being forgiven be enjoyed or considered valid if I can't walk, or can't see, or don't have a good family, a good marriage, or a good job?   Lord give me physical happiness and I will rejoice in the forgiveness of my sins!

Our humanity makes this seem impossible to reconcile.   Living comfortable physical lives is a wonderful blessing, however there is great danger in losing our spiritual bearings.   The subtle lie of spiritual happiness being attached to our physical well-being blurs our judgment as we all search for peace and contentment.    And so to regain our bearing we must constantly fight our way to get to Jesus and stay in front of him.   At times must rely on friends to get us there but our focus and prayer must be to get to Jesus.  That is all we have to do and just has he gave sight to the blind man who asked to see, clean skin to the leper, and running out of the room, mat in hand and a clean slate to the paralyzed man,  Jesus will reward our faith with an unexpected spiritual healing.        

Father, may we grasp the significance and permanence of your forgiveness.  May we know because of this spiritual healing we have true joy, peace, and happiness no matter our circumstances.   Real joy is in You. We ask for it and we seek it as your children.   Give us friends that will carry us.  May we be friends who will carry others.   In Jesus name.

Scotty Elston  

Shallowater, Texas