Paralyzed No More

In Luke 5:17-26 we have the account of the healing of the paralytic man. This man, so desperately in need, was unable in his physical body to come to Christ. His need, though great, was met by the aid of those who obviously loved him. Four faithful friends carried him to Jesus. The overcame the obstacles preventing them from getting the man to Jesus by faith: the crowds, the house, the roof were overcome. Now in the presence of the Lord the Bible says, “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” It is interesting to notice that Jesus tied this man's physical condition to his spiritual condition. You may not realize this, but, apart from the work of Christ, you are just as paralyzed as this man. Let's investigate this together.

This man was paralyzed and could do nothing to change it. We are not told what sin this man committed that cause his paralysis. Yet, it was the disease of sin that Jesus confronted first – not the paralysis itself. That was secondary. This applies to you, because you are paralyzed by sin and you can do nothing to reverse its effects on your life. All the grunting, crying, and striving will never move you one inch closer to the cure for your disease. And all the self-help books are useless to you, because you, just like this paralyzed man, are helpless to help yourself. By the way, the Bible does not teach that God helps those that help themselves, because they can't help themselves. And you cannot help yourself. Your case – in and by yourself – is hopeless.

This man was totally dependent on others. All of his care and feeding required the aid of others. Just staying alive required that others intervene to help him. He could not even help them to help him in the slightest way. And he was probably embarrassed to be so dependent on others. Your condition is similar. You are absolutely dependent on others to care for your spiritual needs. You desperately need those that are willing bring you to Christ. The preacher, the Sunday school teacher, the mother's prayers, the witness of believers – all of these are there because you are helpless to help yourself. It may embarrass you, but they are necessary to your cure. You may hate what they do, say, and pray, but they are the means to get you to Christ. And ultimately, you must come to Jesus by their aid. The paralytic had four friends that overcame every obstacle to get him to Jesus. May you have such friends. And may their faith inspire yours in Christ.

What happened to the paralytic man when he finally came to Jesus? He was radically changed. First, he had his sins forgiven, and then his life completely changed. He came in borne by four in his bed and left carrying his bed. This radical change in his life is proof that Christ was able to forgive his sins. “Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house (Luke 5:23-24).” Every time that a sinner is transformed into a saint it tells the world that Jesus the Son of God is able to forgive sin. Is that your experience? Has Jesus radically changed your life?

Has Christ changed your life in such a way that your family and friends notice it? If not, it would be a good thing to do what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” Even now Christ is willing to forgive and change you if you will repent and put your faith in Him as Lord and Savior of your life. Why not trust Jesus now?