July 21, 2016
WHEN YOU ARE PARALYZED BY SIN, GRACE CAN SET YOU FREE.
Luke 5:12–26
Ali Batir
Central Truth
We are given grace not because of what we’ve done but because of what Christ has done.
Key Verse | Luke 5:20
And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” (Luke 5:20)
Luke 5:12–26
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. 1 5:12 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus 2 5:13 Greek he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 3 5:17 Some manuscripts was present to heal them 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
Dive Deeper | Luke 5:12–26
I have always loved the story of the paralytic man and how he and his friends believed in Jesus so much that they crashed a party through the roof. What a testament of what faith looks like! They came to Jesus with nothing but the hope that He would heal. Jesus didn’t care who they were, what they'd done, or where they came from. Nope. Those things didn’t matter to Him. It was when He saw their FAITH that the man’s sins were forgiven. And then for a bonus, Jesus told him to "rise and walk."
As a modern-day Pharisee, I am constantly trying to earn grace from God. I make sure I go to church every Sunday, belong to a community group, give to the poor, and appear to be the perfect Christian. I do all the "right" things, but miss the entire point of the gospel. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
The paralyzed man was not healed because of anything he did. He was forgiven and healed because he knew that only Jesus could save him. He was saved by his faith, not by his works. What a wonderful reminder that grace comes at a cost, but that cost was paid 2,000 years ago through Jesus’ sacrifice. All that is required of us is to believe.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you often find yourself trying to earn grace? Spend some time reflecting on what you're more focused on: faith or works.
2. Read Romans 3:22-24. What does Scripture tell us about faith?
3. Read James 2:14-25. What does Scripture say about works?
4. When was the last time you put your faith into action? Find some time this week to be the hands and feet of Christ (e.g., pray for a co-worker, buy a meal for a homeless person, share the gospel with someone, do your chores without complaining, etc.).