Anytime Jesus went into a city, even if it was one in which he had preached before, multitudes would soon throng to see him and hear him. In Matthew 9 Jesus came back to Capernaum, and in no time a dense crowd surrounded Jesus at the house. People could not move because of the press, and four men broke through the roof to get a paralyzed man to Jesus.

It must have taken a great amount of faith on the part of all five of these men to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus. As they came to Jesus they could not bring him into the house via the door, so they adapted. They broke through the tile roof to get the man to Jesus. What will we do to get people to Jesus? Do we have enough faith to break through obstacles to help people see Jesus? Do we have enough faith that Jesus can help people and save them from their sins? Jesus was obviously pleased by the boldness of their faith! Do we have a bold faith?

Consider also the great love that these men must have had for the paralyzed man. They were willing to do whatever they could to show their love for their friend. Can you imagine carrying him through the streets, just to find the entrance blocked? They do not quit when the way is blocked, but, undaunted, they take them up on the building, break through the roof, and let the man down. Picture as well, the people in the room as they watch the tiles come down and a man descend through the roof. Jesus had to be pleased by the boldness of their faith, and the depth of their love.

Then Jesus grants a greater blessing -- the forgiveness of sins. We must ever be reminded that there are worse things than sickness and death, and the greatest blessing we will ever have is the forgiveness of sins. But, while there, there were those who look with disapproving glances -- the scribes. They thought Jesus had committed blasphemy, and, were Jesus just a man, or even a prophet, they would have been right. This is why Jesus handles this the way he does. He draws attention to his words, "What is easier to say, your sins are forgiven, or rise take up your bred and walk?" People can pronounce sins forgiven all day long and never be able to prove it. Jesus, however, shows everyone there that he has the power to forgive sins by healing the man. If I can heal him can I not at the same time forgive him?

Imagine, again, how the man now gets up, gathers his bed, and walks through the crowd. Earlier they did not part for the men as they brought the paralyzed man to Jesus, but now they part for the man as he walks out of the house to begin life anew. Every day, as he went about his business, he would be known as the man who was healed by Jesus -- a constant reminder of Jesus who can not only heal sickness, but sin as well. What else could they do but glorify God who had given such power to men?

Jesus is able to heal the greatest sickness and greatest problems in our lives -- sin. Will you let him do this? Come to him now!