He was determined to get through to Jesus even if it meant breaking a roof. Jesus in return makes healing incidental and assures him forgiveness of sins. Jesus proves He is far more than just a prophet or healer. He is the Messiah.
Overview
Matt 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26;
Background
Bible passage
Constant through Obstacles (the paralytic)
Connecting Faith and Forgiveness (our reflection)
Clairvoyant Perceptions (of Jesus)
Complete Healing (of Jesus)
Objectives
To:
- understand that Jesus seeks nothing less than complete healing in our lives
- understand the path to healing
Background
The prophetic Messiah was to have powers to make, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor,” as Jesus reminds John the Baptist’s disciples in Matt 11:5. We see this fulfilled in this and the forthcoming passages. Yet, stronger still it is the spiritual healing.
Bible Passage
Luke 5:7 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
Bible Passage (Cont'd)
Luke 5:22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 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.
25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
Background cont’d
The paralytic was Lucinious Appolonious, a senior Roman official – no 2 to Caesar who was assigned to find out of Jesus was the Messiah. On his way to the religious conference organized by Caesar where Jesus was a speaker, he is shot by an arrow and gets paralysed. Instead of turning back, he moves forward and seeks healing from Jesus. His assistants carry him the rest of the way till they get to Jesus. Jesus was in a religious meeting which was “house full”. It had a marble roof. Lucinious Appelonious asks his soldiers to break the roof. [1]
Background cont’d
The King James version talks of breaking the “tiles” confirmed by the historical records. The roof of the Forea Consortioum was, according to Dr. Ron Charles, probably marble and 18 to 24 inches thick which had to be broken by several soldiers – accompanying the high official. It took all afternoon (during which time Jesus was speaking amidst the tumult) to break the roof. [1]
Background cont’d
As the Senator reaches out for healing, Jesus reaches out to forgive his sins and cleanse his soul. He stays in Israel for some duties, but as he returns to convey the message that this is truly the Messiah, Jesus crucifixion takes place, changing the course of history.
One of his duties was officiating in the burial of widow of Nain’s son (also in the bible), for which he invites Jesus. We know of another great miracle there, which will be described when we come to the passage. Another great Roman influencer for Christ[1]
constant through obstacles
The determination of the paralytic to get through to Jesus in crisis valiantly overcoming all obstacles makes Jesus applaud their faith.
The Forea Consortium could hold 20000 people standing. Bible says peope from every Galiliean (119) Judean (217) town and Jerusalem attended. This event was organized by Caesar inviting 9 religious teachers of repute – 3 spoke on a day. Jesus was chosen to represent the Jews. [1]
constant through obstacles
Who and what do we seek in our crises?
The powerful Lord of the earth or the lesser powers around?
Connecting faith and forgiveness
Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Whose faith did Jesus see?
(the paralytic as well as his helpers – primarily the paralytic as it is his sins he forgives)
Connecting faith and forgiveness
If Jesus was to call the man “son” and forgive his sins without even asking, he knew the source and level of his faith.
He probably even knew all about him and his quest.
He was proving to him that he was the Messiah and God as “no one could forgive sins but God alone”
Many people connect faith with physical healing and miss the deeper more important connection of faith with forgiveness and healing of the soul.
Connecting faith and forgiveness
The man had a crying need to be healed Jesus saw a stronger need for healing of sin
He saw that the man’s faith was searching for something deeper than physical healing.
Before healing, Jesus addresses him as Andropos – a high title being used for the fourth time. First time – Julious Caesar addresses Cisero the senator. Third time Tiberious addresses Lucinious Appelonious. Fourth time, Jesus addresses him with respect [1]
What are we trusting God for?
We look to God in prayer
We put forward our requests
What are we seeking? Where is our priority?
A deeper spiritual cleansing or
Relief from the urgent demands of this earthly life
Clairvoyant perceptions
Both Jews and Persians believe the God alone could forgive sins. Jews may have been annoyed that this Senator whose oppressive policies they were under was receiving forgiveness. They were more annoyed that Jesus seemed to be playing God.
To prove He is God, Jesus then proceeds to heal the Senator, after offering him the highest respect.
Jesus’ example guides us on how to not only respect but pray for our authorities.
Clairvoyant perceptions
Inspite of deep hardness and dark blindness Jesus patiently explains – that he is going to prove He is God by healing.
He never gives up on anyone – uses every opportunity to teach, to win others
Do we reach out readily and repeatedly to those hardened in their own self righteous perceptions?
Complete Healing
Physically and spiritually, he was a new person.
The crowd (as many times before), just said “wow”. There were Greeks, Romans, Persians, in addition to the Jewish leaders – who had come to hear – some out of curiosity, some to critisize, others to genuinely hear Jesus.
I would guess that many, like their leaders missed the transformation experience that they too could have had.
Path to Complete Healing
- Believing that Christ alone can do much more than the world can
- Decision to seek Christ as first choice
- Pursuing the path to reach Christ in spite of obstacles
- Accepting Him as Saviour and Lord
- Receiving His blessings on our life (in whatever form they come)
Discussion
1.Jesus desires complete healing in our lives. What are the roadblocks to this complete healing?
2.What elements of faith do we see in the paralytic’s life?
3.Outline the true path to healing based on this story
The Transformation
Lucinious Appelonious leaves, a transformed believer. Even after Jesus’ death, he plays a huge role in sharing the gospel in his workplace. His historian Tychicus the elder, remains to follow and note Jesus’ miracles over the next year. These records are still on display in the Vatican library in Rome. [1]
References
1. Dr. Ron Charles – cubitfoundation.org