Getting to the root of the problem.

Jesus said to the paralytic man,

“Your sins are forgiven.”

It is true to say God is the only one who can get to the root of any problem. Today we need God to help us all to get to the root of our problems. Human ability is very limited. We need divine intervention.

Jesus again entered Capernaum. Capernaum was his home town. The people gathered in large numbers to see him. Jesus was in a house, preaching to the people and there was no room left inside or outside the house. A paralytic man was brought by his four friends but there was no room for them to enter the house so they made an opening in the roof above where Jesus was sitting. They lowered him in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic man, “My son your sins are forgiven.”

Some of the religious people in the house started muttering, “This man is blaspheming only God can forgive sins.” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them,” Why do you think such evil thoughts in your hearts. Is it easier to say to a man your sins are forgiven or to say pick up your mat and walk? I have authority to forgive sins.”

Jesus said to the paralytic man, “So I tell you pick up your mat and go home.” The man immediately got up and went home. Everyone saw what had happened and praised God.

Jesus was impressed with the determination of the friends of this paralytic man. They were determined to get their friend to Jesus no matter how they did it. They made an opening in the roof above Jesus and lowered him in front of Jesus. Jesus honored their faith. He forgave the sins of the paralytic man and healed him.

We should let nothing get in the way of us reaching out to God as did the friends of the paralytic man. We should desire God above everything else. I would say reach out to Jesus. Jesus has never disappointed anyone who reached out to him.

The interesting thing about this story is that the paralytic man did not ask for his sins to be forgiven.  Jesus must have seen that this man’s greatest need was to have his sins forgiven.

May be this paralytic man was carrying a lot of guilt and it was impacting his physical and emotional health. We all carry a lot of stuff in our heads that does impact our emotional and physical well-being. 

Jesus got to the root of the problem. He saw this man’s greatest need was to have his sins forgiven. Our greatest need too before God is to have our sins forgiven and be healed.

It is about coming before God and confessing our sins before him, and ask for his healing in our lives. (This story is found in Matthew 9:1-8).

Dear Jesus

My faith is weak

Please forgive my sins

And heal me completely.

Amen

By Harbajan (servant of Jesus) 02/04/25. www.godislove.me.uk