Luke 5:22-26: a reflection

22But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts? 23Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, arise, take up your cot, and go to your house.” 25Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God. 26Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”

When a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus, Jesus first says something unexpected: not arise and walk, but Your sins are forgiven you. When the scribes object that only God can forgive sins, Jesus proves his authority to forgive by healing the man: But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, he says, Arise, take up your cot, and go. He addressed first the man's deepest need, forgiveness, and proved his authority to meet it by the healing that all could see.

Notice that Jesus addressed first the deeper need, and claimed authority to meet it. The man came for healing; but Jesus first spoke to his deeper need, forgiveness of sins, which he alone could give. And to show that he truly had authority to forgive, an authority belonging to God, he healed the man's body, a proof all could see. The healing was the visible sign of the greater, invisible gift: the forgiveness of sins. Christ claimed and proved the authority to forgive sins, meeting the deepest need first.

That is worth taking to heart, for our deepest need is the forgiveness Christ has authority to give. We can come to Christ chiefly for other things, healing, help, relief in our circumstances; and these are real needs. But our deepest need is the forgiveness of our sins, which Christ has authority to give, as he gave it to the paralyzed man. Do not overlook your deepest need, the forgiveness of your sins, seeking Christ only for lesser things; he has authority to forgive sins, and that is the deepest gift he gives. Come to Christ for the forgiveness he has authority to give, your deepest need, as the paralyzed man received first the forgiveness of his sins and then the healing of his body; for the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, and in that forgiveness meets our deepest need. Receive from Christ the forgiveness he has authority to give, rather than seeking him only for lesser things, for the forgiveness of sins is the deepest need he meets.

Lord Jesus, when a paralyzed man is brought to you, you first say something unexpected: not arise and walk, but your sins are forgiven you. When the scribes object that only God can forgive sins, you prove your authority to forgive by healing the man: but that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, you say, arise, take up your cot, and go. You addressed first the man's deepest need, forgiveness, and proved your authority to meet it by the healing all could see. Show me that you addressed first the deeper need, and claimed authority to meet it. The man came for healing; but you first spoke to his deeper need, forgiveness of sins, which you alone could give. And to show that you truly had authority to forgive, an authority belonging to God, you healed his body, a proof all could see. The healing was the visible sign of the greater gift: the forgiveness of sins. Take that to my heart, for my deepest need is the forgiveness you have authority to give. I can come to you chiefly for other things, healing, help, relief; and these are real needs. But my deepest need is the forgiveness of my sins, which you have authority to give. Keep me from overlooking my deepest need, the forgiveness of my sins, seeking you only for lesser things; you have authority to forgive sins, and that is the deepest gift you give. Help me come to you for the forgiveness you have authority to give, Lord, my deepest need, and receive it from you.