Identity of the King 6: The Healer of the Sick
For Meditation
As we continue to unpack the Identity of the King, we see in Luke 5:17-26 that Jesus proclaims who he is with his words and his actions. Jesus is presented with a paralyzed man and the first thing he does is forgive the man of his sins. As Jesus is questioned about his ability and authority, he then heals the man physically, showing that Jesus is the one who can forgive sins, he shows that he is God.
Jesus uses words and shows the power of his words by having them put into action. The people around him are then drawn to take actions themselves. Some question him, some respond with their whole body, while others ponder what they've seen. Regardless of the specific response, Jesus's identity and what he does brings people to a point of having to take action. What kind of action are you being called to take in response to him? What kind of action are we being called to take?
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Luke 5:17-26
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.”
