“Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 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, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home.” Matthew 9:1-7

A paralyzed man is a man that can’t walk. For some reason or another, this man in the above story just couldn’t walk at all. The Jewish people had this idea that it was because of the sins of the man or the sins of the parents of the man. But that’s just not true, God just wanted to use this man as a example for the kingdom, of What God will do for people if they only ad faith.

What is Faith?

The bible answers that so well. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrew 11:1). Many people have faith that Jesus will return. All Christians have faith that Jesus died and rose back to life. All Christians place their faith in Christ, for everlasting life. Everyone has faith, it’s just where you place it, which will define you personally.

When a business men goes into business, you wouldn’t expected him to go and say, “Oh I have no confidence that my business will be successful. And I have no assurance that this business will make it the next 2 years.” No, you would find that 100% of business men have full confidence and assurance in their business. They have faith place in their business to be successful. With hard work and time, they will receive their due harvest.

Now, God is asking us to place our faith not in this world and the things of this world. He wanted us to place our faith or our confidence and assurance in Him. That He will save us in due time. That he will heal us and redeem us. That we will receive everlasting life.

Jesus is seeking people that are seeking him. Look how these people came to Jesus. First Jesus came to the region and then the people came straight to Jesus. No matter what it took to get to him, they seek him will everything. This men couldn’t walk, so other men carry him to Jesus. We as ministers need to be bringing people to Jesus. They are blind and can’t walk spiritually to Jesus. It’s our job to bring them to Jesus.

Jesus don’t just speak about stuff, he shows his faith to. He told everyone around them that these man’s sins are forgiven and them he causes the paralyzed man to walk. No telling how long he was paralyzed, but he once couldn’t walk, now he can walk and it took faith in Jesus to receive new life.

Now Jesus isn’t going to just make every paralyzed man walk, but he is offering a new life for every man and woman and child. It’s only your own choice. Are you going to receive it or reject it. It’s only up to you. I’ve done my job in this story. I’ve brought you to Jesus. He wanted to see your faith now. Are you going to give your faith to Jesus or something else?

Some people think it’s a joke, like this priest in the story. Other people are amazed and give praise to Jesus, like these people in the story. What do you think?

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.