“An Encounter with the Healer” - Luke 5:12-26
Sermon series: Right-side up Kingdom
Sermon Title: An Encounter with the Healer
Scripture: Luke 5:12-26
Introduction:
In today’s passage, we read about the encounters of two individuals who desperately needed Jesus’ help. One of them was a man with leprosy who was an outcast because of his condition. The other, a paralyzed man who had no physical way of making his way before Jesus. Yet in both stories, we see that it is not what we offer nor who we are that Jesus is looking at, for Jesus looks at our heart and desires to heal and restore us.
Overview:
Back in those times, a person with leprosy was one to be avoided.
Leprosy was contagious, and it signified that you were unclean.
Anyone who came into contact with another who was unclean, was also deemed unclean.
Yet, Jesus still approached and cleansed the man. This healing was never seen, for a person with leprosy had never been healed before.
This man displayed bold faith for he knows that only if Jesus is willing, anything is possible. Jesus is Lord above all, including sickness and health.
After Jesus healed the man with leprosy, He withdrew to solitude so that He may connect with His Father. This time of prayer is important for all of us for that is when we can know His agenda and will for us, and so that we may be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the story of the paralyzed man, a display of determination led to an extraordinary encounter with Jesus.
The paralyzed man probably wrestled immensely with hopelessness and helplessness.
Though the friends and the paralyzed man could not get to Jesus through the ordinary way (“the door”), they were persistent and reached Jesus with extraordinary means (“through the roof”).
Though many would think physical healing would come first, Jesus instead forgives the man’s sin. To God, forgiveness of sin is much harder and cardinal than physical healing.
The immense faith of the friends and the paralyzed man led to Jesus’ forgiveness upon the man’s sins and ultimately his physical healing.
Although there may be many who are overjoyed by the demonstration of Jesus’ healing power, there are others who grumble in the face of grace and restoration.
It is the first time the Pharisees and the teachers of the law are mentioned in this book (Luke 5:21).
Instead of rejoicing, the common reaction from the group of Pharisees and teachers throughout the Gospels blindness to the power and grace Jesus is offering to His people.
They struggle to submit honestly and obediently to Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
Application:
God does not have to forgive. For He is a just God and He must judge sin and wrongdoing. But we can be grateful for Jesus going to the cross to display God’s nature of righteousness. Jesus desired to share what was His with us.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to shown God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Romans 3:21-26)
Sermon reflection questions:
How often do you retreat and in solitude, spend and give time to God?
Do you struggle with the heart condition or to be forgiven by Jesus? What does it mean for you to come before God with a heart of humility and posture which is surrendered to him?
Is there any area of your life that you are refusing to surrender to Jesus’ authority?
