Through the ears of your heart listen carefully to the only words that matter "Your sins are forgiven"

When Jesus came back to Capernaum, the news spread that He was at home.  Many people gathered together so that there was no room in the house, not even outside the door. And Jesus was teaching them God’s message. Four people came, carrying a paralyzed man. Since they could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, they dug a hole in the roof right above where He was speaking. When they got through, they lowered the mat with the paralyzed man on it. When Jesus saw the faith of these people, He said to the paralyzed man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven. (see Mark 2:1-5).

Jesus was moved by this demonstration of faith. Four men had enough faith in Jesus  and great love for their friend that they took a chance. They were willing to risk embarrassment and injury for just a few moments with Jesus.

Jesus was moved. So He applauds – if not with His hands, at least with His heart. And not only does He applaud, he blesses.  And a result we witness a great miracle.

The friends of the paralyzed man wanted Jesus to heal their friend.  But Jesus won’t settle for a healing of the body – He wants to heal the soul. Jesus leapfrogs the physical and deals with the spiritual. To heal the body is temporal – to heal the soul is eternal.

The expectations of the crowd was high – but not high enough. They expect Jesus to say: “I heal you”. They expect Him to treat the body, for that was what they see.

Jesus chooses to treat not only the body, but also the spiritual – for that is what He sees

They want Jesus to give the man a new body so he could walk. Jesus gives grace to the man so he can live.

Sometimes God is so touched by what He sees that He gives us what we need and not simply that for which we ask.

And Jesus has not changed since the day a stretcher was lowered into His presence with the cord of hope.

What happened then happens today. When we take a step of faith, God sees. The same face that beamed at the paralytic beams at the alcoholic refusing the bottle. The same eyes that danced at the friends of the paralytic, dance at the mom and dad who will do whatever it takes to get their child to Jesus. The same lips that spoke to the man at Capernaum, speaks to any person, anywhere who dare to come into God’s presence and ask for help.

Through the ears of your heart, listen carefully to the only words that really matter – “Your sins are forgiven”.