Four people came, carrying a paralytic to Jesus. When they could not come near him because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof where he was and let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Immediately Jesus, knowing in his spirit that they reasoned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you reason these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic: "I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house." He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
NOTES: It's all about faith and authority here. Jesus gave no room for human reasoning to be an obstacle to the miracle working power of God, but honored the faith of the 4 who brought the paralytic to him. The 4 who brought the paralytic had only one aim in mind (to get a healing for the sick man) and they were willing to take risks. Perhaps they would have had to repair the roof later on or pay damage expenses to the owner of the house, but they must have taken all that joyfully seeing the deliverance of the friend they brought. As for the paralytic, it was a glorious day. Sins forgiven, malady healed, all in a few moments.
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