1060. The Paralytic Healed

The Paralytic Healed

"And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion" (Mar_2:12).

We now come to the blessing that accrued to the one who was willing to be carried and let down through the roof–"saved by grace through faith."

The scribes went home that day poorer than they had come; the paralytic went home enriched. Let us follow the enrichment to the one who believed.

1. "He arose." These words are simple indeed, but think of what they suggest. "Multum in parvo." The impossible had been made possible–"He arose." He did what he could not do–he arose.

Something had happened–the paralytic was healed.

Here is the same thing, from another angle: you find it in Ephesians 2.

Ye "were dead in trespasses and sins."

"But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us."

"Hath quickened us * * raised us up * * made us to sit together."

2. He "took up the bed." He carried that which had carried him. This was a proof of his healing. The sinner when saved is delivered from the dominion of his sins. Old things have passed away, all things have become new.

3. He "went forth before them all." He had nothing to hide. There was naught in his healing of which he was ashamed. He delighted to make known what the Lord had done.

He who loveth the light, will come to the light that his deeds may be manifested that they are wrought of God.

He who believes in his heart that God hath raised Christ from the dead, will surely confess Him with his mouth.

4. "They were all amazed." Even the scribes were astounded. There is nothing that shuts up the critics' mouths like the display of the mighty workings of God.

The critics say Christ is not the Son of God, but they cannot answer the fact that sinners are saved and that "he who cursed, now prayeth."

5. They "glorified God." This was the acme of Christ's desire. Christ said in the upper room just before He went to the Cross, "Father, I have glorified Thy name upon the earth."

When a real work of grace is done through evangelist, missionary or pastor, the Lord is glorified.

The Holy Spirit speaking of the healing of the paralytic says: "They glorified God." Let us note a few other such statements:

When Christ healed the multitudes by the Sea of Galilee, "they glorified the God of Israel" (Mat_15:31).

When the son of the widow of Nain was raised from the dead, "there came a fear on all, and they glorified God" (Luk_7:16).

When the women who had been bowed together for eighteen years was made straight, they "glorified God" (Luk_13:13).

When the lame man at the beautiful gate, was healed "all men glorified God for that which was done" (Act_4:21).

Let us, too, give glory unto the Lord.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR