Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Paralyzed

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be paralyzed? I have.

I don't think I would like it very much.

I don't think that anyone wakes up in the morning and says "boy oh boy, i think I would like to be paralyzed today!" (and if you do..well thats kinda strange)

In Matthew chapter 9, some dudes bring a paralized guy to Jesus. They cut a hole in the roof and lower him down in hopes that he will be healed. Thats pretty extreme!! They mush have really loved him.

So imagine their surprise when Jesus says "take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven!"

I mean, common! They cut a hole in the ROOF! And Jesus doesn't heal him of his physical paralysis.

Perhaps Jesus did that for a reason. Perhaps he saw a paralysis that went beyond the physical.

Spiritualy Paralized. Have you ever thought about that? Paralyzed (paralysis) means not being able to move. Have you ever felt that way? I know I have. And I know that a lot of times I place myself in that position because of sin that I don't want to let go of.

And sometimes it takes someone who loves me to carry me to the feet of Jesus and plunk me down in front of Him to realize that I haven't been moving for a really really long time.

Yet, as in Matthew, the result isn't always how I imagin.

I am sure the man on the mat expected Jesus to heal him. Everyone did.

But instead Jesus looks beyond the physical, sees the spiritual, and give the man NOT what he wanted, but what he needed....to be healed of the spirital paralysis that sin creates.

And the man accepted that. And I say that for 2 reason.
1) it was not him that challenged Jesus as to whether or not He could forgive sin
and
2) when Jesus desided to prove the spiritual healing by redeaming the physical.......

the man was READY!!!

when Jesus told him to "stand up, take your mat, and go home because you are healed", he JUMPED up and went home! He had already acknowledged what Jesus had done IN him, and was ready and waiting for Jesus to work THROUGH him, by using him as proof that Jesus did indeed have the authority to forgive sins.

So when the unexpected leads to the anticipated, don't forget to be ready to jump.


linking with Imperfect Prose at http://canvaschild.blogspot.com/

12 comments:

  1. nice. i like your thoughts on the man accepting it...i had not looked at it that way...quote often our prayers are answered in unexpected ways...or at least not the way we think they should be...so yeah perhaps there is something we (i) can learn...smiles.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I studied this passage last week with some women from church. It's so so interesting! I love that Jesus forgives him without the man speaking a word (so far as we know). He read the man's repentant heart. A note in our study said that God "aggressively forgives"...wow!!
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'd never thought of that story that way before. Thanks for shedding light and giving me something to think about this morning!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I also had never thought of that story this way. Your last paragraph and last line really tie it up with a great challenge/reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  5. And sometimes it takes someone who loves me to carry me to the feet of Jesus and plunk me down in front of Him to realize that I haven't been moving for a really really long time.

    oh melissa... you've done this for me. thank you sister... i cried as i read this, for it really touched home, deep. you have such a gift. never stop writing. xo

    ps. i love your autumn family photos. i hope you send me one for my fridge. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. The verse that always grabs me is: "And Jesus, seeing THIER faith, said to the paralytic, 'Son, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you.'" This encourages me to keep believing in and praying for those who need Him.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I too am struck by "a lot of times I place myself in that position because of sin that I don't want to let go of.

    And sometimes it takes someone who loves me to carry me to the feet of Jesus and plunk me down in front of Him to realize that I haven't been moving for a really really long time."

    GOD speaking through you will bless more than you will ever know. Thank you friend.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's so true, I hadn't really thought of it that way before, that the man was ready. On one hand, yes, as you say, I hope I'm ready. On the other hand I see this as a great reminder to trust in God's timing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So when the unexpected leads to the anticipated, don't forget to be ready to jump.

    i'm stuck in a situation that feels hopeless. because of this, your last line resonated with me. thank you!

    p.s i thought you might recognize "my" beach. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for reading my imperfect post :) From it, you know that I have been spiritually paralyzed. Your analogy made me think also of the heart pain associated with paralysis- both physical and spiritual- until we accept what He is doing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Paralyzed isn't a condition we ask for, but often it is fear that keeps me paralyzed in so many areas. It is by His grace, I am healed and can JUMP UP redeemed. Blessings to you... this is encouraging.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Melissa, this is awesome!! It totally hit a mark with me. Thank you for opening my eyes to striving forward in my spiritual walk, and not being 'content' in the stagnant!
    I love you!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete