Jesus and the Palsied Man

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Luke 5:18-26
Psalters: 164, 178, 372, 363
  1. Jesus forgiving.
    1. Four men are bringing a man with palsy on a cot to Jesus.
      1. Palsy is the extreme loss of power because of infection in the brain or spinal cord or because of injury.
      2. It seems that in the mind of the one palsied there is a connection between his palsy and some sin(s) he had committed.
      3. The need to see Jesus (the Savior) was so great that he and his friends took drastic measures to see Jesus.
    2. Jesus sees their faith (20; Matt. 9:2; Mark 2:5).
      1. Jesus saw through their actions and into their hearts.
      2. Jesus then went to the heart of the matter by pronouncing “thy sins are forgiven.”
      3. So we must turn to Jesus Christ, acknowledging our sin and desiring to be forgiven. Then He assures us!
  2. Jesus heals the man as proof that He had forgiven him.
    1. The scribes and Pharisees immediately respond to Jesus’ declaration that his sins are forgiven.
      1. Note that they thought this criticism of Jesus “within themselves” (21; Matt. 9:3; Mark 2:6b).
      2. Their charge against Jesus was that only God can forgive sins, so Jesus was blaspheming.
    2. Jesus knew their thoughts (Matt. 9:4) and perceived their reasoning (22) and He answered them.
      1. Note that Jesus asked which was easier to say, not which was easier to do.
      2. “But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins” I will tell this man to rise and walk.
    3. He turned to the palsied man, “Arise.”
    4. Thus we may know that our sins are forgiven us and that we are righteous.
    5. The result was that the man left “glorifying God” and the people were filled with awe, amazement and they glorified God.