Ep. 23: The Paralysed Man
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MATTHEW 9:1-8, MARK 2:1-12, LUKE 5:17-26
We know that the Gospels only report events of importance to the narrative of his life and times so it is interesting to note that, in the second journey of Jesus through Galilee, no other special event is recorded than the healing of the leper. This was a key event in the battle Jesus had with the religious authorities. For the Rabbis stood powerless in face of the living death of leprosy, so they had no word of forgiveness to speak to the conscience burdened with sin and no word of welcome to the sinner. But this was the inmost meaning of the two events which the Gospels places next to the healing of the leper; the forgiveness of sins in the case of the paralytic and the welcome to the chief of sinners in the call of Levi-Matthew. We follow the account in Mark’s gospel.
The unspoken charge of the Scribes was that, by forgiving sins, Jesus blasphemed by making himself equal with God. The healing of the paralytic was to show the Scribes that he had ‘authority’ for the forgiving of sins, something which the Jews rightly regarded as the Divine prerogative. The words which Jesus spoke to the paralytic, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’ are to the very letter the same that he used when he healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda. After this encounter in Jerusalem, the authorities had sent representatives to watch, oppose, and, if possible, entrap Jesus. Now that he was claiming authority to act as he did in forgiving the sins of the paralytic, their dossier was beginning to fill up alarmingly!
It was probably wintertime by now. The home in question was probably his temporary home. The general impression is that this audience was rather in a state of indecision than of sympathy with Jesus. It included ‘Pharisees and doctors of the Law’ who had come on purpose from the towns of Galilee, from Judea and from Jerusalem. Their influence must have been felt by the people. Although irresistibly attracted by Jesus, an element of curiosity, if not of doubt, would mingle with their feelings, as they looked at their leaders, who were still generally respected. Dare they embrace this ‘miracle worker’ or did fear of the authorities trump everything?
Jesus is speaking the Word, standing in the covered gallery that ran round the courtyard of such houses and opened into the various apartments. Perhaps he was standing within the entrance of the guest-chamber, while the Scribes were sitting within that apartment, or beside him in the gallery. The court before him is thronged with people, spilling out into the street.
All are listening, enthralled by his words, when, all of a sudden some men appear carrying a paralytic on his pallet. But with a courtyard crowded out into the street, to catch Jesus’ attention would have been a tall order. In the hearts of those who bore the paralysed, was the belief that Jesus could and that he would. Heal. They must have heard it from others; they must have witnessed it themselves in other instances. And as for the paralytic himself. He would have the fear, born out of tradition, that his sins may hinder his healing! This was indeed a most anxious man. And so their minds were made up. If they cannot approach Jesus in the traditional manner, they had to find another way. One can imagine Jesus pausing and the breathless surprise of the crowd as an opening through the tiles appeared, and slowly a pallet was let down before them.
It must have been a marvellous sight. This energy and determination of faith exceeded anything that had been witnessed before. Jesus saw it and he spoke. This open outburst of faith shone out the more brightly, from its contrast with the clouds of unbelief within the breast of those Scribes, who had come to watch and ensnare Jesus.
As yet no one had spoken, for the silence of expectancy had fallen on them all. Could he, and, if he could, would he help - and what would he do? Jesus knew that there was not only faith but also fear, in the heart of that man. Hence the first words which he spoke to him were: ‘Be of good cheer.’ Remember. He was speaking to one who had been taught that suffering was a consequence of sin. Jesus spoke forgiveness to his soul; there was a higher need for the Word which brought forgiveness, before that which gave healing.
He first spoke forgiveness, then he proved he had the authority to do so by healing the man! Had the two been inverted, there would have been evidence of his power, but not of his Divine personality, nor of his having authority to forgive sins; and this, not the doing of miracles, was the object of his teaching and mission, of which the miracles were only secondary evidence. Putting it in simpler terms. He first told them who he was, then he proved it by his actions! If the healing had failed, so would his claims about himself! It would have been far safer for him to reverse these actions but since when has Jesus ever been safe?!
The Scribes were appalled. ‘He blasphemes!’ From their point of view, they were right, for God alone can forgive sins and that power has never been given to a man. But was he a mere man, like even the most honoured of God’s servants? Man, indeed; but ‘the Son of Man’ in the emphatic and well-understood sense of being the representative man, who was to bring a new life to humanity; the Second Man (1 Corinthians 15:45), the Lord from heaven.
This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)