Jesus only spoke to one man whom He addressed as “Son” that He has forgiven his sins. This phenomenal event was recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Matthew 9:2 Then behold, they (four friends) brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
Mark 2:5 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
Jesus saw the faith of the four friends and the man who agreed to be brought there seeking a miracle. This demonstrates the effect our intercession in faith can have upon others. However, those who are to receive the miracle must have some degree of faith also. Even Jesus could not produce healing in those who would not believe (Mark 6:5-6). The paralytic himself also had shown faith because he was not resistant to being brought there and lowered down from the roof, and he also got up and obeyed Jesus’ command (Matthew 9:7) without having to be helped.
Why did Jesus minister forgiveness of sins to this man instead of ministering to his obvious need for healing? Andrew Wommack’s study Bible notes suggested probable reasons for this would include the following:
(1) God is more concerned with the spiritual health of people than their physical health (1 Samuel 16:7 and Matthew 5:29-30).
(2) Jesus, through a word of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8), may have perceived that the real heart-cry of this man was to be reconciled to God.
(3) In some instances (not all – John 9:2-3), sickness is a direct result of sin (John 5:8-9 and 14). Therefore, Jesus would have been dealing with the very root of the paralysis, and just as with the fig tree in Mark 11:13-14 and 20, the physical manifestation would have followed.
(4) Whether or not this man’s paralysis was a direct result of sin, sin in his life that had not been forgiven would allow Satan to keep him in his bondage (Romans 6:16). Through Jesus forgiving this man’s sins, he was free to receive all the blessings of God, which certainly included healing (Deuteronomy 7:15 and Psalm 103:3).
Living Commentary (Andrew Wommack):
(Quote): “It was obvious that this man needed healing, but Jesus forgave his sins. It’s possible that Jesus discerned this man’s heart and gave him what he really wanted. It’s also possible that by Jesus saying his sins were forgiven, then sickness was covered too. The only reason anyone gets sick is because of the corruption sin brought into the world. Therefore, forgiving his sins was equal to freeing him from sickness. If only people had this revelation today.
This is very unusual for Jesus to refer to this man as “son.” It’s the only time in the Gospels that he referred to anyone by this title. This is denoting affection and kindness. It was usually used only to refer to kindred. Therefore, Jesus is speaking to him as his God and making reference to the fact that this was His son. This speaks of the man’s relationship to God and gives us insight into his spiritual condition.”(Unquote).
Summary: Faith is very crucial for everyone who seeks something from God. The paralytic man knew that. He believed that Jesus could and would forgive and heal him at the same time. So when Jesus gave him the reconciliation with God – what he had longed for in his heart, he instantly believed that he was healed simultaneously, and obeyed Jesus’ command, got up and walked home! He must have been closely following Jesus’ teachings through his four fervent friends’ daily feedback. Jesus’ promise “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” has come to pass in his case!
Application: What is the miracle for this Christmas waiting to be birthed for each of us who, like this man have something in our heart which cries out to God with expectant hope? How may we too, appropriate the same answer from the Lord? Relationship with Him and faith work together to bring out this man’s miracle. Truly a deeper walk with Jesus will bring us to a level like never before encountered!
p/s: Peter wrote on the matter of friendship and its power. 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
