Jesus was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, and as was common in those meetings, the power of God was present to heal the sick. There were Pharisees and teachers of the law from all the villages of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. They had gone there to see whether the Master would perform miracles on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. Poor “investigators”! They could have been healed on that occasion!

Often, people are in church for different reasons: some to give their opinions on how to conduct the Lord's work, and others for various motives. On that day with the Savior, anyone who desired could receive healing from sickness, deliverance from addictions, forgiveness of sins, and salvation of the soul, which is the most important part of the Gospel. However, the religious leaders only wanted proof with which to accuse Jesus.

The Master wanted them to witness the power from on high healing the sick and giving the lost the opportunity to be saved and change their lives. Nothing could be better than being freed from the burdens that oppressed them. On that day, four men began to tear the roof off the house where Christ was staying, and after making an opening, they lowered a paralyzed man and placed him before Jesus.

When He saw their faith, the Master assured the sick man that his sins were forgiven. As soon as Jesus made this statement, the Pharisees and teachers began to talk among themselves, accusing Him of deceiving the people. In their opinion, realizing that He was facing a difficult case, the Lord changed His message by saying that the paralytic’s sins had been forgiven. It was as if they were saying that Christ was a charlatan who, unable to perform that miracle, sought to comfort the man with words. However, Jesus is the Truth!

They reasoned in their hearts, but the Savior knew their thoughts. Christ gave a command, showing that His power is able to forgive sins, saying to the paralytic: “Arise, take up your bed and go to your house” (v. 24b). And the result was this: Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. (Luke 5.25). What glory!

After this miracle, the people were greatly amazed: And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!” (Luke 5.26). The same can be seen in meetings where wonders and miracles occur. People cry and embrace each other, saying that the Lord was among them and that this is why these things happened. The Lord is wonderful!

God’s people need to act in the same way, performing the same works that Jesus performed during His days on earth. We must learn to use the authority He gave His disciples, and then the world will be snatched from darkness in the blink of an eye!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares