Jesus Heals the Paralytic

                                               Jesus Heals the Paralytic

The paralytic in the Gospel was loved by his people and friends. They loved him enough, that when they found out that Jesus was in his home town, they went to their friend and said, “We want to take you to the teacher.” They had heard about Jesus’ power to heal. The paralytic knew it wouldn’t be that easy. He had hoped so many times for a cure and none ever came. But they coaxed him and pleaded with him, “May be this Rabbi can heal you. Let us take you to him.” Finally, may be more out of fatigue than faith, he allowed them to put him on a mat and lead him to Jesus. Their hearts must have sunk when they saw the crowd. But that didn’t stop them. They did not give up. Two of them climbed on the roof and began to remove the tiles. They carefully lifted their friend and carefully lowered him down in the middle of the crowd next to Jesus. All eyes were on him. When Jesus saw them He was touched by their faith. He was touched by their love for their friend. He was also touched that the paralytic after so many disappointments had allowed himself to hope again, even just a little. And so moved was Jesus that he simply said, “Your sins are forgiven. Rise, pick up your mat and go home.” The man was healed and his friends who were probably still looking down from the roof were filled with joy.

For those of us who are wounded or sick, have fear or are addicted, challenged or depressed, this gospel passage should challenge us to hope and keep on hoping. Sometimes we will have to carry the cross of suffering or illness. At other rimes it may be that God will heal us completely. Whatever the case may be, God loves us. Each and every one of us is surrounded by people who are sick or lonely, or need some kind of healing. Our world is a broken world, and brokenness is all around us. Even within us. None of us can say that we don’t know anyone in need. There are people, who need healing with whom we live, work, meet and encounter on life’s journey.

This gospel should challenge us to ask ourselves: “Do we have enough love to do what those four men did for their friend? Do we have enough faith? When we have obstacles in our path, do we simply give up and go home? This gospel passage presents us with a very beautiful example of ‘hope’.