Daily Devotional for Wednesday, January 7

The Healing of a Paralytic

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God,” Luke 5:24, 25.

Jesus performed many miracles while He was on this earth. He was not trying to impress people or monetize His deeds. His desire was for His Father to be glorified. Miracles were performed to confirm that He was sent by God and given authority by God. After all, Jesus was God in the flesh, so He had whatever power He wanted to exercise. “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know” (Acts 2:22). Unlike modern day so-called faith healers, Jesus had no interest in self-glorification. “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). How many times are we selfish in our service to the Lord? Do we give God the honor and glory?

When we consider this miracle, we often focus on the fact that this paralytic man had friends that lowered him through the roof of the house where Jesus was (Luke 5:19). Even the Lord acknowledged their faith (verse 20). But this miracle is not really about how faithful the friends were that brought this man to Jesus. The Lord took this opportunity to show those around Him that He was God in the flesh. He had the ability to save people from their sins as well as healing their physical infirmities (verse 23).  Imagine how stunned the crowd was when they saw the man stand up and take his bed with him!

CONSIDERATION

The crowd was looking at his physical ailment while Jesus was looking at their hearts. He knows your heart, too.

Chris Floyd