Friends Bring a Paralytic

(#20) Lessons from Luke 5:17-26

Photo by Chris Anderson on Unsplash

Devotional: Luke 5:17-26

Dear Readers,

This stunning event in the teaching life of Jesus raises many questions. For one, who’s going to pay for the damage to the roof?

But beyond that, what a wonderful example of friendship and faith!

“One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.” - Luke 5:17-19

Gathering crowds

Crowds gathered to hear Jesus and to receive spiritual insight and healing. This is not the only paralytic that Jesus healed. He healed many people with a wide variety of ailments. The one ailment that we all have, though, is sin. We need to find divine forgiveness to overcome the power of sin in our lives. The friends who lowered the man down were determined to get their friend before the Master!

Perhaps they only considered that they would like to see their friend be able to walk. Jesus, however, looked beyond his physical need to his spiritual need. “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” - Luke 5:20

This outraged the Pharisees and religious authorities.

“But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” - Luke 5:21

Jesus responded with a crucial and piercing question:

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” - Luke 5:22-26

Reflective Questions

• Do you identify more with the paralyzed man (unresolved issues in life that paralyze forward movement)?

• Or do you identify with the friends (relentlessly seeking to help your friends find Jesus)?

• What do you need more today? To be brought to Jesus or to bring someone you love to Jesus?

WILLING TO GO ALL OUT

The work of the friends to get their paralyzed friend in front of the Great Physician is admirable. It is not always easy to help a friend find relationship with God in their lives. Sometimes we face rejection or criticism. Do we allow that to tamper down our resolve to help others or do we simply go all out and face whatever comes? Maybe we sometimes allow the difficulty of sharing the Gospel with others turn US into the paralyzed!

WILLING TO BE BROUGHT

Perhaps someone reading this has not established a relationship with God. Remember that when the friends brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus, the Lord willingly met his greatest needs. I would encourage you to realize that Jesus is warmly welcoming all who would come to him. He alone can cleanse us of the guilt and shame of the past and give us a bright new future, an eternal future. He alone can bring us to the Father and give us a new Family of Believers with whom we can grow and serve together. That does require, though, a willingness to come to Jesus.

Image Credit: Photo by John Fornander on Unsplash

Reflective Questions

• There are hurting people all around us. Who can you reach out to today?

• Who can you be praying for today, that they would come closer to Jesus?

• Take a moment and thank God for the ways he has healed you today.

• If you do not have a relationship with God, ask Him today to lead you to someone who can help.

Closing Prayer:

“Father, when we read this story, we are filled with gratitude for your grace and mercy. We see the way Jesus so completely met this man’s needs. We give you praise and honor for the way you receive us as we are and help us to become who you want us to be. Help us to not only receive this from you, but also to share it with as many others as we can. Give us the healing we need so we can walk in newness of life. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”

Please give a like, restack, or comment to this post to thank our Guest Writer in John Dobbs. John resides in Louisiana and is a Pastor, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Substack Writer and Author on Amazon. John also enjoys photography and naturally encourages others. Maggy & John Dobbs pictured below.