Have you ever had something happen to you that was totally unexpected in a good way? Jesus does the unexpected in today’s story. Perhaps you have been surprised by birthday party, an unexpected call from a friend, or unanticipated encouragement. Life can be full of the unexpected, and Jesus often does the unexpected as we read stories about His ministry in the Scriptures.
The Unexpected Forgiveness
A group of men carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus, but the house was so full they could not get in. Not to be deterred, they went up on the roof and made a hole in it so they could lower their friend in front of Jesus.
Place yourself in the story. What would have been going through your mind when these men were making a hole in the roof? Soon right before your eyes they were lowering a cripple down in front of Jesus. You may have thought the first thing Jesus would do is to heal him. No, Jesus first forgives his sins.
Luke 5:19Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” [1]
Jesus Interrupts our Lives when He does the Unexpected
The Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law were offended when Jesus forgave the sins of the paralyzed man. They were even more surprised when Jesus healed the man and he picked up his mat and went home. Through this miracle the people that loved the Lord were overjoyed.
Luke 5:25 And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” [2]
Jesus Still does the Unexpected Today
A few years ago, we did a small crusade in a town in the mountains of Honduras. In a crowd of about 100 people our speaker sensed from the Holy Spirit that the Lord wanted to heal a man who was in an accident. A young man’s mother moved her reluctant son forward.
He was a young man of about 19 whose left arm was crippled in an accident, and he could not use it. The muscle in the arm had already began to wither away. After our speaker prayed for him, he began to jump up and down and throw his left arm up in the air. The Lord had completely healed him. He was filled with joy. Not only that, but he confessed his sins and placed his faith in Jesus.
You are more special to God than you know. Look for Him to do the unexpected in your life! To hear more on how Jesus does the unexpected, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/seeking-the-lord-changes-my-life-paralyzed-man-friends
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.