Luke 5:17-26 — This text tells the much loved story of the paralysed man who was let down through the roof by his friends. They were confident that Jesus could heal their sick friend and that’s exactly what He did! There are many wonderful lessons that might be drawn from this story, but the real heart of it lies in Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees and doctors of the law who present that day. By forgiving the paralysed man’s sins, Jesus was challenging what these religious leaders believed about Him.
As we consider this story, God challenges each one of us concerning our beliefs about Jesus. Who do we believe Jesus is? A miracle-working rabbi or the Messiah? How we answer this question has eternal consequences.