“One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” Luke 5.17-20
This passage takes a surprisingly casual approach to an extraordinary miracle. The author begins with, “One day Jesus was teaching…” Just one day? I might have started with, “On a truly remarkable day, Jesus was teaching!” But no, the setup is simple, straightforward, almost understated.
Jesus was teaching, and the leading Jewish authorities—Pharisees and teachers of the law—were listening. They were sitting, a posture signaling their role as teachers, perhaps considering themselves equal to or above Jesus in authority. People had come from everywhere—villages across Galilee, Judea, and even Jerusalem. Just five chapters into Luke, Jesus is already more renowned than Caesar!
People flocked from rural towns and the bustling city of Jerusalem, drawn by the fact that “the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.” Pause and consider that: the power of God rested on Jesus to heal those who were sick. Astonishing, world-changing power! Recognizing this, people brought their sick, laying their loved ones before the Lord.
But the house where Jesus taught was packed. Undeterred, a group of men carrying a paralyzed friend got creative. Unable to push through the crowd, they climbed onto the roof, dug through the tiles, and lowered their friend on his mat right in front of Jesus. Talk about cutting in line! (Imagine the frustration of those who didn’t think of it!) When Jesus saw the faith of these friends, he turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
There’s much to unpack here, but let’s focus on three key points:
1. The faith of the friends—not the paralyzed man—prompted the healing and forgiveness.
2. The man’s healing was tied to sin in his life, though the specific sin isn’t named.
3. Jesus acted instantly, with absolute authority, like a divine executive order.
Reflecting on these points: Jesus didn’t need anyone’s permission to heal. He had God’s authority, as the text says, “the power of the Lord was upon him to heal.” Sometimes, others’ faith can carry you—think of someone who came to faith through a praying grandmother. And sometimes, sin can manifest as physical illness (though I wish we knew what sin this man was forgiven of).
Luke paints a beautiful picture of a Savior who responds to faith. No penance was required; the man didn’t even need to repent aloud for forgiveness. The friends simply showed up, demonstrated bold faith, and God worked through Jesus, His Son.
It’s as if anyone can approach Jesus. It’s as if God is waiting for us to come—not just for ourselves but for others too. This story reveals a loving God who acts with complete authority to restore humanity’s relationship with Him and to make Jesus famous, glorified so we might worship Him.
So come to Jesus and bring your friends. Let God do the work only He can do in you and others.
“O Lord God, You are good and loving, and Your power is fully realized in Jesus. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with Your love and grace. Help us know You are good and just, that all might bow before You. I praise You, Lord, because if You can heal a man who couldn’t even walk to You, You can heal us. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.