God is the Power, and Christ is the Power of the Lord, out of whom rivers of blessing flowed by word, deed, and prayer. Many began to follow Christ.
Those in charge of religious bodies having had doubts about his personality, for Jesus had not studied in their schools, nor had he ever joined any of their parties, watched him and sent spies to him that they might seize on his words and acts. The proud Pharisees were known for insisting that the law of God be observed as the scribes interpreted it and were considered as the experts, or doctors of the law. They both wanted to know the mystery of Jesus’ power; censoring every word he said to pick up something on which to ground a reproach or accusation.
It was the will of God’s wisdom, at that moment, that some men should bring a paralyzed man to Jesus. That was the most beautiful and powerful symbol of preaching. When the men could not reach Jesus, they went up on the roof upon him, took off some tiles and lowered the paralyzed man down into the room in front of Jesus, without saying any word. Their act was unmistakably a cry of faith, prayer, and hope. Jesus was pleased with this interruption and disturbance during his teaching, for he loved faith, and saw in it the hope of the believer, which pierces hardships. Do you immediately come in supplication? Do you become pressing and stubborn in your love in order that Jesus should save your spiritually paralyzed friend?
Christ knows the reason for all the diseases of our sins. There is no certain sin, which usually causes a certain disease, but our life that is faraway from God is the reason for our distresses and the cause of all the disasters of the world. Jesus’ untying the psychological bonds of the sick man was an introduction to healing his body. Did you hear Jesus’ word, "Your sins are forgiven you"? Fall on your knees and bow your head before the Son of God. Take firm hold of his promise immediately. This essential word belongs to every man who longs for purity, righteousness, and peace with God. Your sins are forgiven you. Believe in this gospel and you will be saved. Christ speaks to you personally, and looses the bonds of your sins. Believe in the word of your Lord, and thank him so that you may enter into a covenant with him, and his peace may flow in you. Christ himself is the Guarantor of his divine saying which belongs to all humanity.
When the spies of religious bodies heard this forgiving word, they thought that none could forgive sins but God. They were right, and therefore they considered this word from Jesus’ mouth as blasphemy, and that Jesus deserved death. They were blind to his divinity, and did not sense the power of the Holy Spirit flowing out from the person of Jesus, but hated him, for he was different from them. He was from above, and they were from beneath.
Perceiving their thoughts, and reading their hatred in their eyes, Jesus disclosed their condemning pride, and showed clearly their shortsightedness. He asked them why they had such evil thoughts in their hearts, brought his adversaries over to repentance, and provided them with a proof of his power, so that they might learn and love faith, and receive remission of their sins.
The Man Jesus testified of his authority: that he had the prerogative and the power to forgive sins. None of the prophets of the Old Testament foretold such characteristics of Christ. Now the Son of God reveals his privilege as participant in the power of God. By that he showed that he stood at the same level with God, one with him, and abiding in him. This testimony causes our minds to explode. However, Christ hid his divinity, and called himself the Son of Man so that his hearers might realize the mother of all miracles: that God himself was incarnate among them, remitting their sins by his grace.
After this fundamental discussion, Jesus gave the frightened multitude and the objecting haters a tangible proof which he had revealed to them before bringing it into effect: he commanded the paralyzed man, by an utterance of his tongue, to arise. Those present, out of breath, saw him who became delivered from sin, rising up, because he felt the love of Christ, and grasped the word of forgiveness. The joy of the Lord came into his heart. He jumped, in the name of Christ, from his bed, tried his parts which were stiff and rigid for many years, took up his tearful bed, and walked on his feet indeed, praising God cheerfully, and glorifying Jesus, his Savior.
The multitudes became frightened, and they prayed in their hearts. And the doctors of the law became silent, for the power of the Lord openly triumphed over sins and diseases. Those who were defeated boiled over, flaming up with rage, and thought of killing Christ, for in this very occasion he showed his truth and the essence of his work before those spies. His initial preaching in Nazareth of the prophecy in (Isaiah 61) found its accomplishment with more clarification, and all the hearts were shaken by a spiritual quake. Did the power of God touch you? Did you become certain of the remission of your sins? Worship to your Lord, for he is the same yesterday, today, and forever.