They went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat...right in front of Jesus. Luke 5:19
Our family quickly walked down all 530 steps to the base of the La Fortuna waterfall in Costa Rica passing signs cautioning us that the walk up would be strenuous. At the bottom of the stairs, our hike took a dramatic turn when discovered a young woman experiencing a medical emergency. First responders provided a stretcher, but they needed help to safely carry her out of the ravine. Joining the rescue team, we were grateful to work together to carry her to a place where she could get help.
There are times when people aren't able to get the help they need on their own. In Luke's gospel, we read the story of a paralyzed man who wanted to see Jesus (LUKE 5:17-26). Out of love for the man and by "their faith" (v. 20), his friends carried him to the house where Christ was teaching. But when they arrived, the house was so crowded they couldn't get near him. Undeterred, the friends carried the man onto the roof of the house and "lowered him on his mat through the tiles" to Jesus (v. 19).
Like the friends of the paralyzed man, we can show love to others by providing practical help when they're unable to care for themselves. We can provide a meal, complete an urgent home repair, or offer a ride to an appointment. And through such care, they may also experience the love and presence of Jesus.
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
17 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. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 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.
20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
INSIGHT
- How have you experienced the blessing of caring service?
- How might you demonstrate care for someone in need?
Luke 5:17–26 recounts the miraculous healing of a paralyzed man and Jesus’ demonstration of His authority to forgive sins. One day, as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law from various regions gathered to listen. Four men brought their paralyzed friend, but due to the crowd, they lowered him through the roof to reach Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus declared the man’s sins forgiven, which outraged the religious leaders, who accused Him of blasphemy—only God can forgive sins (v. 21). To prove His divine authority, Jesus commanded the man to get up, take his mat, and walk. Instantly healed, the man praised God, leaving the crowd in awe. This passage highlights Jesus’ power over both physical illness and sin, affirming His identity as the Son of God and offering hope in His authority to restore and redeem.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, please help me to serve others with loving care. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Luke 5:17-26 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Judges 13-15; Luke 6:27-49
