When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,“Child, your sins are forgiven.”Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,‘Your sins are forgiven,’or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”–he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone.They were all astoundedand glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
REFLECTION
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”–he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”
His friends did not give up. Their love for him, their belief in Him and their strong desire to help has made them another example of persevering prayer. Not unlike the widow who tired out the judge through her persistence thereby getting her prayers answered; the friends of the paralytic persevered in getting him to Jesus... if one approach did not work, they tried another.
Yes, we ask for help from God. After all, He has been with us throughout creation and promises to never leave us or forsake us. (Jos 1:5). So why when we pray do we think He does not hear us? Natural tendency is to speak louder or add more words thinking either He is deaf or was too busy to hear us or perhaps He did not understand why my heart is broken or why the tears don’t stop.
Words mixed in with wanting something can skew the meaning why prayer is so important. Faith is what propels us to pray knowing that our only relief comes from the One who created us and, therefore, loves us.
We must be one with Him in our actions and words. Total trust in God brings us closer to Him. His compassion for our weaknesses and sinfulness will one day help us hear, “Your sins are forgiven, come pick up your mat.”
Comments