We see the importance of spiritual healing in our story. Jesus forgave the paralyzed man before He healed him physically. The paralysis would have been evident to all who saw the man. The need for healing from spiritual, emotional, or relational wounds is less obvious. Because the public can’t see spiritual or emotional hurts, it becomes more challenging to ask for healing.
Healing and Forgiveness
We live in a sinful world, so nothing is perfect. Disease entered the world at the fall into sin and continues to cause much suffering. Foolish acts can result in harm to ourselves or others. We suffer illness and wounding in our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives. Often, God works forgiveness and healing together.
James 5: 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.[1] While illness and the need to forgive or be forgiven may be intertwined, we must be careful about making assumptions. But as we look to God, we know He has the power to restore, often including forgiveness.
When another has hurt us, holding a grudge and not forgiving is tempting. Psychology Today tells us how damaging this is. “Grudges have the power to damage and destroy relationships. But they are likely to do more harm to the bearer of resentments. Studies have shown that the stress caused by grudges and resentments can lead to physical problems such as heart problems, high blood pressure, weakened immunity, and mental health issues such as increased anxiety and depression.”[2]
Forgive Others and Yourself
God knew the harm of unforgiveness long before the psychologists did. He provided temporary forgiveness in the Old Testament through animal sacrifices. Jesus came to provide the once-and-done sacrifice for sin through His suffering and death on the cross. As true God and true man, He could forgive the paralyzed man because He was looking forward to what He would do on the cross.
Because we have been forgiven, we are to forgive others. Mark 11: 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. [3] This doesn’t mean we must put ourselves at risk with toxic people. We can keep appropriate boundaries in place while turning punishment over to God.
Forgiveness can heal us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We understand how forgiveness can also heal relationships. But there are times we need to forgive ourselves because Jesus forgives us. We often replay what we should have or could have done in a situation. We can confess and repent and be assured that God will forgive us. 1 John 1: 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.[4] So, if God forgives us, we must forgive ourselves.
This week’s story shows the importance of spiritual healing. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-paralytic-healed
[1,3,4 Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-kids-call-the-shots/202308/5-dangerous-consequences-of-a-grudge