A paralyzed man was brought to Jesus by his friends who had faith in Jesus. Seeing no access to Jesus, these men somehow made a way to bring him to Jesus. Their faith enabled them to have an "out-of-the-box" idea. Those who have living faith overcome obstacles and difficulties and find a way no matter how. True faith distinguishes itself by cutting through the obstacle. Jesus saw their "getting-through" faith and blessed them.

Jesus saw beyond the man's paralyzed body to the root cause of it-sin. Paralysis represents sin's debilitating power and the sinner's helplessness and dependency on others. God created us so that we can stand, walk, and live for God's glory. But due to our sins, we become powerless to stand, walk and live before him. Jesus came with authority to forgive sins. Jesus said to the man, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." Then the Pharisees criticized that Jesus spoke blasphemy. Jesus demonstrated his authority to forgive sins by healing the man to stand up before the crowd and went home walking and praising God. Jesus Christ ultimately proved that he had authority to forgive sins when he died for sinners on the cross and rose again from the dead. Jesus came to forgive sin and to make helpless people strong and useful.


Application: Lord, heal my spiritual paralysis as I come to you, and make me useful to you and others.
One Word: One word: Forgiveness is our main need