“And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.’” (Matthew 9:2, NASB95)

This is a remarkable story of faith and friendship. The paralytic man had four friends. When they heard Jesus was in town, they put him on a stretcher and carried him to Jesus. Obviously, they hoped Jesus would heal him so that he could walk. But when they arrived at the house (which was probably Peter’s) there was no way to get inside because of the crowd. One of them had the idea of lowering him through the roof to Jesus, and they all agreed. But did the paralytic agree with this decision? Or was he the helpless victim of his friends’ antics?

Imagine Peter’s reaction when he noticed dust falling, looked up, and saw four men busting a hole in his roof! But Jesus did not see the roof repairs that would be needed; He saw the faith of these four men. He also saw the need of the paralytic. Yes, he needed to walk; but his real need, his eternal need, was to be forgiven of all his sins.

The fact that Jesus told him to “take courage” shows that he was afraid. Was he afraid because he did not feel worthy to come to Jesus? Did he assume that his condition was because of his sins? There are many today who are spiritually paralyzed because of sin. Their sins prevent them from serving God or others. But Jesus told the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven.” His greatest need was not physical; it was spiritual and eternal.

At once, the scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy in their hearts. “Who does He think He is? No one can forgive sins but God alone.” But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you think such evil in your hearts? Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?”

Anyone could say, “Your sins are forgiven,” but how would people know if God really forgave his sins? So, Jesus would prove it by telling him to “Arise and walk.” If he could suddenly walk, then clearly God had done a miracle and had given Jesus the power to forgive sins. Then Jesus said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he got up, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house.

Jesus honored the faith of the paralytic’s friends. Because they wanted their friend to walk, they overcame every obstacle to bring him to Jesus. Not only was he set free from his bed, but he was also set free from his sins. He was healed both physically and spiritually. Are we willing to go to such lengths to bring our friends to Jesus to be healed of their brokenness and forgiven of their sins?