Called to Let Go
Luke 5:17-26
One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. – Luke 5:17
- Do we come to church for evaluation or participation?
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. – John 12:9-11
- Religious people always seek to kill a miracle.
Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. Luke 5:18
- We all need friends who will walk with us no matter what
- Jesus said that the world would be able to tell that we belong to Him by the way we love each other
When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Luke 5:19
- The bigger the obstacle, the greater the miracle that can eventually take place.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20
- God can always do more than what we’re asking Him to do
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Luke 5:21-25
- If we don’t take Jesus at His word, we’ll lay paralyzed for the rest of our lives.
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Luke 5:26