Healing and Love

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:1-12 ESV).

In whatever way and at whatever time we come to Jesus, it is the right way and the right time. Jesus meets us with love and healing. The paralyzed man on the mat was unable to come on his own. He needed the support of friends. Unable to get to the door, he is lowered through the roof. He meets Jesus flat on his back, unable to move. He does not speak or ask aloud for healing; perhaps he does not have the words or feels unworthy to say them. In this time period, physical infirmity was regarded as punishment for personal sin or for the sins of one’s parents or ancestors. Perhaps the paralyzed man felt unworthy to even be in Jesus’ presence, but Jesus reads his heart and knows his need. In love, Jesus first heals the broken spirit, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Although these words serve as a demonstration to the priests and the people of His divinity and power to forgive sins, I believe Jesus’ first concern was to meet the needs of the man before Him. He gives a hurting man love and heals the man’s spirit before he heals the body. Jesus wants us to be not just physically well, but also emotionally and spiritually well. He wants us to be whole. Jesus meets each of us where we are, in whatever way we are able to approach Him. He sees Zaccheus hiding in a tree and welcomes him; He meets the Samaritan woman as she draws water alone because she is ashamed to be at the well with the other women; He meets Nicodemus in secret in the middle of the night. He waits patiently and lovingly for us to look His way or move into His presence. And when we do, He enfolds us in His healing love as we are able to receive it. And we are home. Come home today.