By Pastor Greg...
As I was thinking about the whole
Easter story this past week, I was reminded of
an event early in Jesus’ ministry. It’s
the story of the paralyzed man who was lowed through the roof. And although it seems rather odd to talk
about a paralyzed man on Easter morning, I find that it may help us see the
Resurrection of Jesus in a whole new light.
Look at the events Luke describes in chapter 5. 17 One day while Jesus was teaching, some
Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that
these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as
from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus.
18 Some men came carrying a
paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, 19 but
they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and
took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the
crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, Jesus
said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”
21 But the Pharisees and
teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s
blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
22 Jesus knew what they
were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 23 Is
it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 24 So
I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive
sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your
mat, and go home!”
25 And immediately, as
everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising
God. 26 Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and
they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” [1]
The words of Jesus shocked the crowd that day. How could He,
a mere man, claim that God forgave someone’s sin? That’s a very bold claim; His words sounded
like those of a madman… unless Jesus indeed
had the Father’s authority. Knowing their
thoughts, Jesus heals the man as proof His words are faithful and trustworthy;
if Jesus said it, you can be sure it is true.
It is the same with the earthly
ministry of Jesus. As the Lord walked
among us, He begins preaching and
teaching that He was sent by God to provide eternal life for those who believe…
you know - the whole John 3:16 message.
Jesus promises over and over again that those who obey His message will never die (John 6:50; 8:51;
11:26). Even while He was dying on the
cross, Jesus turned to the one thief and said, “I assure you, today you will be with me in
paradise” [2]
(Luke 23:43). These were some very bold
claims, like those of a madman… unless, of course, He had absolute authority
from God.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus made
some rather bold promises about sins being forgiven and, if you’re like me, you
sometimes wonder if they really are true.
How can we be sure that our many sins really are forgiven? I think that’s the real question many people ask
during Easter. We hear about these
promises made by Jesus and secretly wonder how they could be true. And,
just as He did with this paralyzed man. Jesus provides the evidence we need to
believe.
When we find ourselves struggling
to accept the promises of Jesus – forgiveness of sin and eternal life promises –
Jesus confirms that He has the authority to take away our sin by rising from
the dead and has the power to grant eternal life.
And when you or I ask how can it
be that the Lord could forgive our sin or give us everlasting life, it’s then
that Jesus whispers into our doubts saying, “Which is easier; to forgive your
sin or rise from the dead? But to show
you that I have the authority to do these things I will cast aside the stone
and walk out of the grave.”
Like many of us, you too probably
wonder if Jesus has forgiven your sins.
You wonder if God could possibly
forgive you for all the wrong things you
have done in your life. In hopeful anticipation, the idea begins to form in your
heart that maybe, just maybe, God has prepared a place for you in glory. But you are unsure. I pray that this Easter the empty tomb
becomes a sign that all the promises made by Jesus are faithful and
trustworthy. He has said it; the empty
tomb proves they are true.
[1] Tyndale House Publishers.
(2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Lk 5:17–26).
Carol Stream, IL.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers.
(2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Lk 23:43). Carol
Stream, IL.
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