“But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.”
The third thing that Jesus wants you to know today is if you want to experience true Kingdom wholeness, you must realize that…
Jesus heals physically in order to demonstrate His power to heal us spiritually.
Ellen White makes it clear in Desire of Ages, that “it was to manifest His power to forgive sins that the miracle was performed.” Desire of Ages p. 267
All throughout the ministry of Jesus, He performed miracles of healing to awaken trust in His power to not only restore the body, but to awaken trust in His power to save the soul.
The bible says that Jesus perceived their thoughts. That was the first sign of His divine character. But then He takes it up a notch in an almost humorous way. He basically says which do you think is easier for Me to do, forgive this man or heal him. In other words, if you really knew who I was, you’d realize that I have power to do both. And just to prove to them that He did have power on earth to forgive sins, He commands the man to take up his bed and go home. The implied point Jesus made to the Pharisees and teachers of the law is God wouldn’t grant this healing if He had just blasphemed. And though Jesus came as a man, He was no mere man. He was God in flesh and therefore could forgive sins.
Jesus had already shown the paralytic grace by forgiveness of sin. Jesus had already demonstrated His power to forgive. And now in light of being forgiven, in light of being saved by grace through faith in Christ, he is now given a command by Christ. Jesus commands this forgiven man to rise up and walk. Now pay close attention! Jesus gives him a command, then gives him the power to do what He said. The man getting up, was performed by the power of God working in him. He had faith in the One who had forgiven him and in loving obedience to the command, chose to get up, but the power working in him to enable him to get up was the miraculous power of God.
At the cross Christ saved you from sin. He has justified you. He has acquitted you of all charges. You have been forgiven. He has declared you righteous. Now that you have been saved and you are in an abiding relationship with Him, He has some commands He has given you. Like the ten commandments, His law of love. Or like the principles of healthy living in His word. And in light of His love and grace you respond in loving obedience to these commands. But make no mistake, it is His power working in you, enabling you to follow His commands. It’s His power working in you to bring you restoration and sanctification! It’s His power working in you to heal your body! It’s His power working in you to live a healthy lifestyle. It’s His power that makes you whole! He brings you health and wholeness to demonstrate His power to save you!
So the man goes home glorifying God. No doubt, he had a praise party when he got home. Now watch the response of the crowd who witnessed this miraculous healing in verse 26…
“And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!””
Wholistic healing brings glory to God! Wholistic healing of mind, body and most importantly the soul glorifies God and brings people to Him that He is desperately trying to reach, like the Pharisees and scribes!
Jesus desires your complete health and wholeness in order to demonstrate His power to save us from sin. By healing people in response to their faith in His ability to save them from sickness, Jesus sought to teach and arouse people to His primary desire to save them from sin by grace through faith! We are called to continue the healing ministry of Jesus. We are to be a healing community bringing hope and wholeness to everyone.
"CJ" CLAYPOLE S. COUSINS JR., IS SIMPLY A MAN WHO IS IN LOVE WITH JESUS. HIS PASSION IS TO LIVE, PREACH AND TEACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. IN ADDITION TO PREACHING & TEACHING, CJ ALSO LOVES TO SING AND WRITE ABOUT JESUS.