DRAFT ONLY

Introduction
      The healing of the paralytic is the fourth episode of six concerning the acts of the messiah - the nature of his authority, 4:31-6:11. The episodes reveal the authority of the messiah and his kingdom. He does what only God can do. Thus "he supersedes all authorities before him, and sets forth to Israel a new and startling meaning of Messiah's person and rule", Earle Ellis. The sign of the healing of the paralytic is a sign of forgiveness. Forgiveness comes to Israel with the one who has authority to forgive sins.

The passage
      The churchmen challenge Jesus' right to forgive sins, for only God can forgive. In response, Jesus' divine power operative in the healing of the paralytic and in the response of the crowd, guarantees his authority to forgive.

      v17. Jesus is obviously in a private home teaching. In the audience there are "Pharisees" and "Teachers of the law" (those who give authoritative interpretation of the scriptures). The "power of the Lord" was present with Jesus, i.e. he was empowered through the indwelling Spirit of God ("Spirit of the Lord", Ac.10:38). The power came upon him at his baptism, enabling him to fulfill the Father's will. This power comes and goes depending on the circumstances, although it tended to remain with Jesus during his ministry, cf. Mk.6:4-6.
      v18-19. The friends of the paralytic most likely lower him into the internal courtyard of the home through the thatched pergola.
      v20. Some believe that sickness is the direct result of personal sinfulness. Jesus does not teach this link. He does though accept the close relationship of sin and sickness, healing and forgiveness. Sickness exposes the curse upon the human race, a curse unto death. That curse stems from sin, from rebellion against God. The real problem is sin, and to this Jesus proclaims forgiveness. The rabbis knew well enough, that without forgiveness there can be no healing.
      v21. The religious crew immediately discuss (reason falsely) Jesus' proclamation of forgiveness. If only God can forgive sins, then Jesus must be blaspheming. It was on this ground that Jesus was later charged and crucified. Of course, if he does have authority to forgive sins, then the least that can be said of him is that he is the messiah and the kingdom has come.
      v22-23. Jesus, as usual, is well able to read the body language. To sort out his opponents he asks a trick question. In reality it is harder to forgive sins than heal someone, but in practice the reverse is true. It's easy to proclaim forgiveness. How is it verified? It's not very easy to heal a paralytic. If you can heal a paralytic you can probably forgive sins.
      v24-25. So that the religious crew might know that Jesus does actually have the authority to forgive sins, he tells the paralytic to get up and go home. This the paralytic does with great enthusiasm. So, point made. Interestingly, Jesus does not openly claim messianic authority. The evidence is there, but only those with eyes to see will see it. He maintains mystery in the title "Son of man". For Jesus this is a messianic title, but for the crowds it is a vague reference to mankind in general, Ps.8:4, or possibly a prophet, Ezk.2:1f. Jesus' use of the title combines the "Suffering Servant" of Isaiah with the glorified king of Daniel, Dan.7:13. The Son of man is a corporate figure representing Israel. He achieves glory through suffering on behalf of the people.
      v26. The response of the crowd is "awe" (amazement), or more rightly "fear". They are shaken by this manifestation of divine presence and power. A response of amazement is of little value unless it moves forward to faith.

Forgiveness
      One of the more debilitating problems we face as humans is that of guilt. Guilt eats away at us, undermining our self confidence. Without self confidence, a person looses independent existence and ends up dependent on job, family, friends, home, hobbies...... A dependent person isn't a happy person because it is impossible to depend on the undependable. How then can we obtain freedom from guilt?
      Our passage for study proclaims the centre of the gospel. Jesus has authority to forgive sins. The paralytic believed (had faith) that Jesus could heal, even a paralytic. All he had to do was get to Jesus. Jesus would do the rest. Trusting Jesus for forgiveness works in exactly the same way. A person who comes to Jesus and seeks his mercy, receives his mercy. Forgiveness is a free gift for the asking.
      When we accept God's forgiveness, it is then we can begin to accept ourselves. The guilt that once burdened us begins to lift and we are slowly freed. The authentic independent self is realized in our freedom from guilt.