A Paralytic Forgiven & Healed

calendar_today December 8, 2024
menu_book Luke 5:17-26
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Sermon 16 in Series

Luke 5:17-26

[17] On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. [18] And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, [19] but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. [20] And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” [21] And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” [22] When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? [23] Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” [25] And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. [26] And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”


DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. 
 How does the story of the leper prepare us for what happens with the paralytic? How do both passages shed light on what it means to be a Christian?
2.   Who were the scribes and Pharisees? How does their presence in this narrative anticipate further developments in Luke’s Gospel?
3.   What does this passage show us about faith and forgiveness? What does it mean to say that faith is necessary and active?
4.   What do we learn about Christ from this encounter with the paralytic and the religious leaders? What is his response to the opposing thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees?
5.   What is the significance of the title, “Son of Man”? Why do you think Jesus preferred to refer to himself in this way?
6.   How do the responses of vv. 25-26 motivate you towards gratitude and joy? In what ways have these attitudes been eclipsed in your daily life?

References: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:3-7; Mark 2:1; Ezra 7:6, 10; Matthew 23; Luke 4:14, 18; Hebrews 11:1-2ff; Matthew 9:4; Daniel 7:13-14.

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