Let down by your friends.

Have you ever been let down by your friends. This man was an outcast, The story is recorded by Luke and Mark. It is another story of a nobody, an insignificant invalid. He was what we would call a ‘shut in’ and an outcast. In the context of what Jesus said to him, he had followed a life of sin. Many commentators suggest that his malady was a social disease.

The enemy of souls loves to pound people with guilt. He sells a theology of despair and hopelessness. He had made several attempts to see Jesus and so his friends finally took him up on the roof, removed some tiles and let him down right at Jesus feet. (Mark 2: 1-12).

But listen to this, “And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2: 5 NASB. The RSV has “my son.” The KJV has “My son, be of good cheer your sins are forgiven.”  “My son!” You mean the God of the universe calls someone like this “my son!” Where is the God of justice we hear about? What about the God who keeps lists and judgment books? How can God (for that’s whose presence he was in) call this man ‘son’, with his track record. Matthew, who was called by Jesus to follow Him just after this event, says “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven. (Matthew 9:2).

It is possible to get bogged down in guilt and remorse for sin. This is not just a history lesson. The man jumped to his feet and walked away! Maybe that is someone today reading this. You need to join this man. Regardless of what you have done or where you have been, you can still accept this pronouncement and come to Jesus and be forgiven.

In all three accounts there followed the discussion about how only God can forgive sins. They were in the presence of divinity. Jesus is the physician of the soul both physically and spiritually.

There are 30 healings recorded in the gospels. In two thirds of the accounts somebody is brought by somebody else. Notice also that forgiveness is an intentional part of healing. Notice how faith is also something you can see. Jesus saw their faith. Can he see yours.