“Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic— “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.” (CSB)

Early in His ministry, Jesus returns to Capernaum and preaches to a packed house. Four friends carry a man on a mat, and when they can't reach Jesus through the crowd, they tear off part of the roof and lower him down. Jesus sees their faith and forgives the paralytic’s sins. Some commentators note that this is one of the few times Jesus addresses sin in relation to healing a physical condition, and they suggest this could indicate a possible connection in the man’s situation. We don’t know for sure, but we do know that rabbinical teachings at the time held that unexplained or fatal ailments were caused by unrepentant sin. Likewise, they believed the forgiveness of sins would precede healing. Since Jesus knows our hearts (and the hearts of the Pharisees witnessing the event), it’s reasonable to assume Jesus was addressing these beliefs.  

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Since Jesus rarely addressed healing from this angle, this story stands out. The word Jesus uses here for forgiven (salach in Hebrew, aphiemi in Greek) is the same word used in Leviticus 4-6 during the descriptions of the blood sacrifices necessary for sins to be forgiven in the Old Testament covenant law. In other words, these words relate specifically to divine forgiveness equivalent to what those animal sacrifices provided. It’s not the word used for human-to-human forgiveness.  

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The Pharisees knew exactly what Jesus meant and began to accuse Jesus of blasphemy in their hearts. Jesus claimed to be able to provide that which only God could do with just His words. Jesus directly addresses their unspoken thoughts by challenging them with a question: Which is easier? Spiritual or physical healing? Spiritual healing couldn't be proven. Physical healing was verifiable by eyewitnesses. By forgiving the man’s sins before healing him, Jesus proves His authority to do both.  

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Wesley Livingston explains that Jesus uses a rabbinic method called kal v'chomer—proving the greater by doing the lesser. Wesley says, “It is the idea that if I can accomplish the more difficult thing, then I am capable of the easier thing. For example, if I tell you I could bench press 120 lbs, but you donʼt believe me, I could prove the lesser by lifting more.”

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Understanding the theological weight of this moment is one thing, but what does it mean for us when we’re desperate for God to move in our own lives?

I can’t imagine how the four friends felt when Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (v. 5).—after everything they did to get their paralyzed friend to Him. Still, they were probably thinking, “That’s great and all, but we were kinda hoping he'd walk out so we don’t have to pull him back up.” However, Jesus knows the man’s greatest need is spiritual. As I heard a preacher say one time, what good are two healthy legs if you use them to walk straight to hell?

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But that’s hard when we’re struggling in life with things only God can fix. Maybe it’s physical healing, a battle with infertility, restoration of broken relationships, or other tangible needs that are going unmet in our lives. We would love for God to speak and set those areas right. When we’re in the throes of what feels like unanswered prayers, do we believe God has already met our greatest need through Jesus – the forgiveness of sins? Do we prioritize spiritual health the same way Jesus does?  

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This is not to say we live under a prosperity gospel: “Just muster up a little more faith/good works/spiritual discipline and God will do it!” That’s just a modern twist on the Pharisees' belief about brokenness and sin. Healing and restoration are guaranteed one day, when God sets all things right. For some of us, this may not be until we reach Heaven. The reality is that God is most interested in our sanctification, and He's at work bringing it about in the lives of believers. Spiritual wholeness is His priority. Is it ours?

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Another thing I like to consider in this passage is the friends. Jesus is moved by the faith of men who probably carried their friend for miles, and when it looked like a dead end, they tore off a roof to get their friend to Jesus. These men knew Jesus was their friend’s only hope. Do we have friends like these in our lives? Do our friends prioritize spiritual wellness and being close to Jesus? Are we this sort of friend?  

First, reflect on how much you prioritize spiritual wellness. Thank the Lord for addressing your most pressing needs: salvation and forgiveness.  

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Second, consider what place Christian community currently has in your life. Church on Sundays is great, but it’s hard to connect deeply if that’s your only touchpoint. We all need people in our corner who prioritize spiritual wellness. We need friends who will carry us to Jesus, speak hard but true words when we need them, and encourage us on our spiritual walk. Consider trying a small group or asking a Jesus-loving friend to connect weekly in person, or maybe even by text to share prayer needs.

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One thing we learn from this story: your friends matter! If you feel unsure, remember: if you take the first step, God will be faithful to meet you there. Don’t settle for walking alone. We were made for community!