Luke 5:18-26 - Compassion for scoffers
Scripture:
Luke 5:18-26
18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him.
19 But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.
20 Seeing their faith, He said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you."
21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"
22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts?
23 "Which is easier, to say, "Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, "Get up and walk'?
24 "But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," -- He said to the paralytic -- "I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home."
25 Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.
26 They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen remarkable things today."
NASU
Thoughts:
The Lord's compassion is amazing! Even for those critical of Him (verse 21).
Although Jesus clearly is extending compassion to the paralytic man and healing him (verses 20, 24-25), He sets up an opportunity to reach out to the skeptical Jewish religious leaders (Pharisees and scribes), as well.
It's easy to read a harshness into Jesus' words to the religious leaders, but I don't think this should necessarily be how we read them. It may be how we might have felt toward these men -- annoyed -- but Jesus proves Himself over and over again in the gospels (and in our lives) to be patient! Jesus really is extending compassion towards these leaders. They are unwilling to accept that He is the Messiah, and so He is giving them more evidence of the fact. He's giving them what they need to overcome their unbelief.
The Jewish leaders correctly state amongst themselves that only God can forgive sins (verse 21) . Jesus therefore sets up a test for Himself (verse 23). He has told the man that his sins are forgiven, which is easy to do (verse 23) since no person can tell if that's happened or not. But now, to prove He can forgive sins, He also heals the man of his paralysis (verse 24). This is something easily confirmed, and yet still impossible for a person to do! Therefore Jesus has shown them that as God, He can forgive sins (verse 24).
Prayer:
What a wonderful God You are, that You stoop to our intellect and reason with us in a way we can understand, to draw us to You! Forgive me Lord, at times for thinking of others as unreachable. For giving up any hope of them coming into a right relationship with You. You didn't give up hope, even for Your harshest critics. Choosing to forgive, even when hanging on the cross.
And forgive me the times that I've failed to extend compassion to those who are hostile towards me. Forgive me for "fighting fire with fire," instead of returning good for the evil done against me. Help me to do this! Make me more like You, confident in You and unconcerned about the thoughts of this world.
Amen
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