When You Cannot Do It Yourself | Luke 5
The story of a few faithful friends and the power of Jesus
So far in the Book of Luke, we have seen the proof that Jesus is the Son of God through Luke’s portrayal of His miraculous birth, baptism, temptation in the wilderness, calling His first disciples, and recording specific miraculous healings that provide evidence to religious leaders that He is the Messiah.
As you read today’s passage, notice the emphasis on faith and forgiveness. What do you see?
Scripture
Before you read, invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts as you soak in God’s Word.
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Luke 5:17–26 (Bible Gateway, NIV)
17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
What did you notice? Meditate on this for a moment.
Reflection
Sometimes we cannot do for ourselves what needs done.
I am living out my own version of the man on the mat right now. We bought a fixer home and as idealized as it sounded, I cannot fix it quick enough or well enough for our family to start putting in beds and filling shelves. My husband contracted Lyme disease, so his headaches and energy are debilitating him from being able to help in the way we imagined right now.
We need help .
And so I’ve prayed about every detail. From clearing vines to painting walls and scrubbing kitchen cabinets. And the Lord, in His miraculous power, is sending the help we need through brothers and sisters in Christ.
I keep sitting down at the end of the day and praising God from the depth of my soul. No way could I orchestrate this. No way could I provide the know-how or enough energy to accomplish what is needed on my own.
When have you seen the need of someone else and stepped in to help “carry their mat”?
The friends of the paralyzed man in our passage today believed in Jesus’ power to heal and had determined compassion on him. We can imagine they surrounded his mat, told him what they were determined to do, bent their knees, grabbed the side of the woven portable bed, lifted up with their quads, and started walking.
Step-by-heavy-step. Pushing through the crowd and coming to a dead end of the compact Jesus-seekers. Not seeing a way through, they looked around. How could they get him to Jesus?
Then one of them saw it. Maybe they shouted, “The roof!” And they shifted their momentum, pounded their legs with he strength of war horse as they climbed stairs, holding the man on the mat! (The ultimate team-building exercise).
Somehow they dug through the roof. (Who was going to pay for that repair?) And somehow they lowered their friend like a flying trapeze artist.
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” (v.20)
Jesus saw the faith of the friends and the paralyzed man and spoke with authority before the religious leaders to reveal that Jesus is much more than an anointed miracle worker; only God can forgive sins.
This causes a ruckus. So Jesus proved His authority by healing the man. Jesus is more than a teacher of the Law, more than a super-smart Rabbi. He is the Son of God.
All are amazed and give praise to God.
Luke highlights the faith of friends and the power of Jesus to forgive sin. And now we can wonder: who is our lives needs help carrying their “mat”—whatever that looks like.
My new friends this week have deepened my faith in God’s power. A paint brush and a wheelbarrow full of vines have helped me see Jesus’ face up close.
Your Turn
What is one time in your life someone helped you in a way you could not help yourself? How might you be able to do that for someone in your life today?
Pray about this or anything else on your heart, praising Jesus for doing what only He can do for us: saving us from the death penalty of sin.
You can also use this prayer below.
Lord, God, thank You for doing for me what I cannot do for myself by dying on the cross to pay the death penalty in my place because of my sin. Open my eyes today to be ready and willing to extend Your compassion, strength, and power into the life of another. I love You, Lord, and I give You all the glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Did You Miss June’s Lunch Table™?
It was so fun spending time with Rebecca Carrell.
If you missed us, we talked about:
The overarching story of the Bible.
The biblical vision of our work and purpose.
How to start (or start again) reading the Bible.
You can watch the 30-minute replay here:
Resources I mentioned:
The Story of the Gospel FREE 6-week Devotional Bible Study.
Connect with God through His Word in this 6-week devotional study written by Seana Scott (me!). You will read through the major scriptures of the Bible that trace the story of God and reflect on how each passage connects with your life today.
(My inbox is always open with any questions).
Story of Scripture FREE online class.
Get a taste of a semester in seminary as you walk through the overarching story of the Bible. Your Bible study will be enriched as you grasp where all the stories you learned over the years fit in God’s story. You also will understand the bigger picture of who God is, who we are, and how to see our lives within the story of God.
Here to help you live with a well soul,
