The Lame Man Healed

The Sermon at Church today was based on the Scripture where the paralyzed man is lowered by his friends through the roof of the house Jesus is visiting in the hopes that he will be healed. Our Pastor explained that people with a serious ailment such as this were considered little better than lepers. They were ritualistically unclean and it was believed that they were in this condition due to great sin. To come in contact with someone in this condition meant that you were also considered unclean until you could go through the process of ritualistic cleansing.

Our Pastor focused on the love these people must have had for their friend to be willing to not only suffer impurity but to go to such lengths in faith to have their friend healed. He said that these people who tore away at the roof and lowered their friend were the only people present who were there for someone other than themselves. Everyone else present had selfish motives. These people alone came in selflessness. This Sermon was a perfect lead-in to our Lenten Program.

Next week, all Church families will be given a booklet which contains a list of prayer requests and a whole section of service/ministry needs. Every family is being asked to pray for the requests daily during Lent (not necessarily EVERY request every day - possibly a chunk each day, divided throughout the week) and to pick a service or ministry to reach out to each week. Today, our Minister stressed that no one is going to follow around behind us to make sure every family reaches out weekly to meet some need, but he believes we will really begin to embrace Lent if we take the time to enter into this Program.

But back to our scripture from today. Jesus says to the paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven." Interesting choice of words. Does this fuel the belief amongst the Jews that this man's paralysis was a result of sin. Why would Jesus choose to heal him using those words? Why not say, "Be healed?" WAS the man's paralysis a result of sin in his life? Certainly, we all need forgiveness of our sins, but those are the specific words that bring healing. Obviously, forgiveness brings each of us healing. Is that what Jesus was trying to teach us from this passage?

So much packed into such a little story. Firstly, we have the desire of this man and the faith and hope that Jesus can and will heal him if he can but reach Him. Secondly, the faith and love of his friends that is so sacrificial, concerned not for themselves or the shunning that may be the result of their actions. They are fully committed to doing whatever is necessary to bring their friend to Jesus - even tearing off the roof by hand. Thirdly, we have the disciples who have not, themselves, attempted to bring the lame and infirm to Jesus. They're simply spectators as the mob crowds Jesus, all wanting something. And, fourthly, is our precious Lord, loving all, withholding nothing, reaching out His healing hand to all that have the faith to ask.

Which of these am I? Can I honestly say that I have the faith of the paralyzed man or the love and commitment of his friends? Or am I just a Disciple, standing on the sidelines, gaping in astonishment when Jesus brings healing. Of course, at times I'm all of these. But, which do I resemble most often?

Perhaps the answers will become clearer to me this Lent.