The man with palsy had been lame for some time. He was dependent upon others for his livelihood as well as caring for many of his basic needs. Because of his infirmity, he could not engage in most activities as others and enjoy life to the fullest. Emotionally he more than likely felt less than a man: a burden on society with no sense of purpose and accomplishment. Many people in this state had become filled with anger and bitterness. However, when he heard of Jesus and the miracles that he performed, he cooperated with those who sought to aid him in his plight. The purpose for his illness may never have been know to him, but his life and testimony were about to change anyway.
The miracle account begins by stating who was in the house and that the power of The Lord was present to heal them.
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. (Luke 5:17).
The question is, who needed healing? At this point there were not any blind, halt, lame and diseased individuals yet in the house, but only Pharisees and doctors of the law. It were these people that The Lord intended to heal. The healing that they needed was not physical but spiritual. The very reason that Jesus' first statement to the man with palsy was that his sins were forgiven him was so that the hearts of the doctors and Pharisees would be moved to seek that healing as well. Then to give validity to his promises of spiritual healing, Jesus healed the man of his palsy. You would think that after witnessing such a great miracle those present would beg for their sins to be forgiven, but it did not occur.
This then makes me wonder and ask myself, "How many of my trials are intended to be a testimony to others of what The Lord wants to do in their lives?" If it were the case, then God would continue to try my faith with trials so that my life would be a continual living testament of his power and grace. In this manner, your life and mine as well can accomplish more to move people to trust The Lord than preaching and teaching. Did not Paul say that our lives are epistles of Christ?
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
Because I cannot always understand why trials are permitted to come into my life, I must yield to God, who always works in righteousness and love, and trust his divine plan to work what is best for me and of need for those around me.
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