Jesus had some interesting guests in attendance as he taught. Some Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there listening to the teaching of Jesus. The Bible does not mention that there intention was bad but their reaction to what is going to happen suggests that they were not fully invested in learning from Jesus.

Some people brought a paralyzed man to Jesus. They were seeking for Jesus to heal him but they could find no way into him. They went up to the roof and began removing tiles so they could let the man down to where Jesus was located. This man had some good friends. He had no way to get there by himself. They never gave up and even made a plan after the way to Jesus was blocked by others. Jesus was impressed by their faith and healed the paralytic man.

The Pharisees took issue with the wording that Jesus used to heal the man. Jesus said to the man that “your sins are forgiven.” Jesus was establishing himself with authority in more than one way. He displayed his power in healing the man. He also showed his place as the Son of God as he forgave sins as well. This is the part that the Pharisees would have the most trouble understanding. They only saw Jesus as a man and not as the Son of God. He threatened everything they were about and they were uncomfortable with his use of his authority.

The man does rise and take up his bed and went home glorifying God. Amazement seized all that witnessed what had happened. Jesus was different and there could be no denying that. Let’s hope that we have and that we are friends who will help out when all hope seems lost. Let’s see Jesus for who he is, the Son of God and thank him for his ability to forgive sins.