Matthew 9:1 – 8 “Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in yourhearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up andwalk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgivesins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.”
Eli was stuck, trapped a prisoner in his own body! Year after year, his own bitter angry words rang in his ears – the last words he had hurled at his wife before he collapsed with a stroke. What had she done to make him so angry? Now he could no longer remember. All Eli knew was that he was completely paralyzed on the right side of his body, his arm and leg stiff and unusable. Eli had had to learn to eat with his left hand – an almost unforgivable social sin, but a necessary one if he was to live. Oh, if only Eli could return to that day and take back those bitter words! All this time the wife he thought he had hated had cared for him affectionately and tenderly. Eli groaned within himself; he didn’t deserve such love! Then one day, a friend told Eli that Jesus was returning to Capernaum. Jesus! That carpenter’s son from Nazareth who had been healing people. Why, Jesus had even driven out demons from two demon – possessed men in Gadara. Too bad the townspeople didn’t appreciate a miracle worker when they saw one! So Eli messaged his friends and begged them to pick up the mat on which he was lying and to send him to Jesus.
When Eli got to Jesus, he was so excited that he could scarcely speak. And then Jesus looked at him with eyes full of compassion and love and …..forgiveness? The local teachers of the law were there scrutinizing everything Jesus did! THEY KNEW what Eli had done! Those teachers had already smugly informed him that he would pay for his sin of anger for the rest of his life and that punishment was no more than he deserved! They felt far superior to Eli!
And then Jesus came and spoke those miraculous words “Take heart, son, your sins are forgiven!” And suddenly Eli knew it was true! Forgiveness flooded his ravaged body. And Eli lifted his unparalyzed left hand to praise God. Now it did not matter if he was trapped in this body for the rest of his life; his sins of anger and bitterness had been forgiven. But wait, what was Jesus saying now?
Simon, the leader of the local teachers of the law, was squeezing his face, horrified by what he thought was blasphemy. And Jesus looked at Simon and smiled and asked, “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?”But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to Eli and said,”Get up, take your mat and go home.” Suddenly Eli’s right side became strong again! There were no more pains, no more stiffness, in fact, Eli felt wonderful. With the light of heaven on his face, Eli quickly rolled up his mat and walked out of the house, leaving Simon and his fellow teachers dumbfounded.
Today, what bitterness or unforgiveness is paralyzing you? Perhaps you are stuck in a toxic work environment, striving to do your best for an ungrateful supervisor. Perhaps you feel your marriage has become a loveless one and you are hanging on fot the sake of the vows you made so many years ago. Perhaps you have been forced to live with a relative whose every sentence grates on your nerves. Bitterness is so easily acquired and so difficult to get rid of!
Ask Jesus to come into your life and to help you and heal you! “But,” you say,”I’m not really sure I even believe in Jesus.” Fine. Ask anyway! What do you have to lose? If Jesus comes and heals, isn’t that better than the situation you are in now? Emotionally, you are like that paralyzed man lying on that mat. You can’t help yourself; if Jesus can help you, why not ask Him?
PRAYER: Jesus, please help me! My bitterness is more than I can bear. I feel emotionally paralyzed and stuck. Lord, please heal me. In your Name, Jesus. Amen.
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