Jesus is in the house, but He’s surrounded by many people. So many, in fact, that no one can even get through the door!
But nothing can stop four very determined men!
They decide to climb up on the housetop! Break through the roof in order to lower their sick friend down into the room with Jesus!
They are willing to do whatever it takes to come into the presence of the Teacher!
Jesus saw it! Their faith! He responded to the paralyzed man - Son, your sins are forgiven.
Some of the teachers of the law were offended by this - Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?
The teachers are right! Only the one who is offended can forgive. So if this man sinned against God, then only God can forgive him.
But what they don’t understand is that Jesus is God!
So Jesus heals the man, but not before He makes the claim directly – The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins!
The message is clear! God is bringing forgiveness to the world in the Person of His Son. This is Jesus’ mission on earth. Eventually, will give up His life on the cross to accomplish it!
Perhaps, that’s why Jesus is so impressed by these four men, because like them, He too will do whatever it takes to bring us into the presence of God.
The faith of these four men cause us to ask: What are we doing to come into the presence of Jesus?
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