So I’ve been thinking about this story of the paralytic since Joshua spoke on it Sunday. I find it to be interesting because I wonder how I would have reacted. In fact I can’t help but think that I would have been a little upset when I came to be healed and Jesus forgives my sin. It’s like when you ask for something that you want for Christmas and your mom buys you what she thinks you need instead. Oh thanks, underwear. I mean really. Wouldn’t you be a little upset?
Why would Jesus forgive the man’s sin? The more I’ve thought about it the more I can’t help but think that it’s because of meaning. Jesus came to bring meaning. He brought meaning to everything he did. He took a regular meal and packed it full of meaning. He took a simple story and filled it with meaning. He wanted people to see meaning and purpose in what seemed mundane. When Jesus forgives the mans sin he adds meaning to his life.
Sin is what seperates us from God. Sin is what feeds us hell when we need the kingdom. Seperation leads us to wanting the mundane instead of the extrordinary. When Jesus came he brought the Kingdom with him. Jesus says to seek first the kingdom and all else will be added. When Jesus forgave the mans sin he gave him a new perspecitve on meaning. The man could now see heaven. Hope was restored. Everything now could just be added. Jesus wanted to overflow heaven on earth so it could fill the hell.
I guess it comes down to your idea of redemption. What adds meaning? Healing or restoring? Would there be meaning in the mans healing? I don’t know. But I do know that meaning was restored through the forgiving of his sins.
