Last time we were together I suggested an experiment we could try—to read a passage of Scripture through the eyes of someone who has never read the Bible before. It’s best if you use a notebook to write down questions, insights, and connections you make as you read and study. So I did the experiment with Luke 5:17-26.

Luke 5:17-26, NIV—Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Here are my notes. My comments are written as if this is the first time I have ever heard this story.

  1. To get the context I would want to find our who the Pharisees are and look at a map to see where the story is taking place.
  2. “And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick” (v 17). I want to look into Jesus’ healing power further.
  3. I am in awe of the creative boldness of the paralyzed man’s friends to make a hole in the roof and lower the man down to Jesus. What about the mess it would have made? Wouldn’t the ruckus have drawn the crowd’s attention from Jesus to these guys tearing off the roof? They were tenacious. (v 18) Am I as bold, creative, and tenacious when I have a request for Jesus?
  4. It was the mat-bearers’ faith that led to the healing of the man, not the faith of the paralytic! (v 20) That’s incredible! If Jesus can heal a person because of the faith of others, what you,d he do through me? 
  5. Jesus knew what was in the minds of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. He knew they accused him of blasphemy because he said he forgave sins.(v 22) Is there anything in my heart or mind that Jesus needs to deal with? (See Psalm 139:23-24)
  6. “Which is easier?” To forgive sins or to heal? (v 23) Neither sounds possible to a human like me, but if Jesus can indeed make a paralyzed man walk, he can also forgive sins.
  7. Jesus said, “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (v 24) What is the source of his authority? How can he do this? Who IS this man?
  8. When Jesus told the paralyzed man to pick up his mat and go home, he immediately did. He was praising God, along with the amazed crowd. (vv 25-26) What did the Pharisees think? Did they praise God too? Were they convinced to follow Jesus?
  9. People responded to Jesus’ miracles in one of two ways: awe and praise or anger and accusation. How would I have responded?

This leads me to the ultimate question—What will I do with Jesus?

Lord, speak to us through your Word. Apply it to our hearts where we need it. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of what you said when you walked the earth. In your name, Amen.