By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
FORGIVES
Luke 5:17–26
Forgiveness is the work of God. When the Lord revealed Himself to Moses at Mount Sinai, He spoke of His many attributes, including forgiveness (Ex. 34:6–7). When Solomon prayed during the dedication festivities of the temple, God answered by saying He would forgive their sins and heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14). When Isaiah confessed the sinfulness of his lips, God sent an angel who offered forgiveness and cleansing (Isa. 6:7).
In this week’s passage, Jesus offers forgiveness. Religious leaders who were watching His every move and listening to His every word had a problem with Jesus extending forgiveness to a paralyzed man. By contrast, the forgiven and healed man gave praise to God for what He had done.
Hope Demonstrated (17–19)
Men well-versed in the Scriptures were gathered from north and south to listen to the teaching of Jesus. Evidently, Jesus’ powerful teaching throughout the villages of Judea and in Galilee had captured their attention (4:44; 5:1).
Not only was Jesus teaching, but He was also healing, just as He had announced in Nazareth (4:18).
An unnamed man had friends who supported him, both literally and figuratively. When they heard that Jesus was healing people in Capernaum (see Mark 2:1), they carried their paralyzed friend to the Master to be healed. Since they were unable to reach Jesus directly, the friends determined to make a way by lowering him down through the ceiling.
They demonstrated their hope in Jesus as Healer, and they would not be deterred from that hope.
Forgiveness Granted (20–24)
Jesus saw “their” faith. This is worthy to underscore. This scenario is in sharp contrast to Job’s four friends who accused and cross-examined him. In the midst of Job’s suffering, his companions — Bildad, Zophar, Eliphaz and Elihu — brought charges against him. The paralyzed man in Luke’s passage had four supporters who carried their friend to the Lord.
Jesus offered forgiveness. The Teacher was offering something that only God gives — forgiveness for sins. Pharisees in the crowd began to charge Him with blasphemy. How can a mere man forgive sins?
The answer is that Jesus is not a mere man. Jesus reveals Himself to be the Son of Man, who has both the authority to forgive and the power to heal.
Praise Offered (25–26)
The man was healed. He obeyed the Master’s command to get up and go home. On his way home, the healed man praised God for his encounter with Jesus. Others in the crowd also praised God for what they had seen and heard. They were “astounded.” They gave “glory to God.” They were “filled with awe.” They said: “We have seen incredible things today.” May we learn to praise God in amazement for His works.
God still forgives sin. This joyous reality is also problematic. For people living within a Christian milieu, we may be tempted to presume on the mercy and forgiveness of God. A common thought in Christian circles is: “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission.” This is presumption on God’s grace.
The Apostle Paul warned believers not to assume God’s grace. In Romans 6:1–3, he writes: “Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not!”
Baptists affirm soul competency and the priesthood of all believers, maintaining that we each have access to the Father through the Son. Jesus is our priest, our advocate and our intermediary. We need no other priesthood.
While we may confess our sins to one another (James 5:16) for personal accountability and continued discipleship toward spiritual maturity, we must ultimately confess our sins to God. Our sins are against God (Ps. 51:4), and God alone cleanses us from our sin (1 John 1:9).
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