1424. Palsy–Sin's Helplessness

Palsy–Sin's Helplessness

"They brought to Him a man sick of palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer: thy sins be forgiven thee" (Mat_9:2).

The sick of the palsy, borne of four, and brought to Jesus, is an apt picture of the sinner and his inability to help himself.

1. When we were yet without strength. What a statement we have in these words. They proclaim two things:

(1) The sinner's inability to help himself. If the Ethiopian can change his skin, if the leopard can change his spots, "then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil" (Jer_13:23).

The sinner cannot help himself. He may resolve, but his resolutions will fail. He may determine, but his determinations will break down. He may "will," but his "will," will be found weak.

Dr. Coue may talk of auto-suggestion, the help that comes from within; but a sinner has no help from within, when it comes to sin.

(2) The world's inability to help the sinner. How positive is the expression, "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!" (Isa_31:1).

The world cannot by any means save the sinner from his sins.

Legislation may hold the whip of the law over the offender, but it cannot change the sinner's heart.

Ethical philosophies may inculcate higher morals, but it cannot inoculate those morals into the veins of a sinful life.

Better environments may alleviate distress, but they can never change the nature of sin.

2. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. The sick of the palsy was let down before the Lord Jesus and, "Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Mat_9:2).

The Scribes and Pharisees murmured saying, "Who can forgive sins but God only?" (Mar_2:7). The Lord Jesus replied, "Whether is it easier to say * * Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise * * and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath authority on earth to forgive sins, He saith to the sick of the palsy, * * Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house" (Mar_2:9-10, Mar_2:11).

When the individual fails, and when men fail, Christ Jesus is abundantly able.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR