There are three main aspects to Jesus' earthly ministry, his teaching, his confrontation with and victory over the demonic, and his healing. The next few lessons will focus on Jesus' healing ministry.

In order to teach these stories well, you have to ask yourself "Why did Jesus do all this healing?" It's especially important to ask because of certain modern TV evangelists whose healing ministry seems to highlight the spectacular and provide publicity. Instead, Jesus actually tries to prevent people from telling others about his healing. He seems to think it would get in the way of his message. Nor was his healing meant to prove he was divine. Jesus refused to give such signs, even though the religious leaders asked for them.

Jesus healed, first of all, as an act of kindness and mercy. He was captured by the plight of suffering people. He also looked beyond the physical ailments to their spiritual roots. Finally, and most important, healings were signs of the coming of God's kingdom. They pictured the shalom of the new creation Jesus is ushering in. They are a snapshot of the future, when he will "wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Rev. 21:4).

Today's story wonderfully illustrates what Jesus' healing ministry was all about. It's dramatic, graphic, and packs a spiritual and emotional punch. This paralyzed man's loyal friends carry him to Jesus in the hope that he will be healed. Running into crowds of people at the house where Jesus was staying, they refuse to give up. They clamber onto the roof, create an opening by tearing away its mud and twigs, and let their friend down by some ropes right in front of Jesus.

Can't you picture the dust and twigs falling on Jesus and his followers, causing them all to look up and see this pallet coming down with a man on it? Jesus must have been delighted at their ingenuity.

Listen carefully to the text: "When Jesus saw their faith, he said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'" He saw their faith, that is, the friends' faith in action, and rewarded it. But instead of doing what they had come for, he forgives the man's sins. What was that about?

Jesus' healing ministry had deep spiritual meaning. It pointed to the kingdom, and it pointed to the spiritual roots of human disease. While the man certainly needed to be healed of his paralysis, he, like all of us, needed a deeper healing from the massive infection of sin. And that's where Jesus begins.

As you would expect, that causes a big stir, and the religious leaders among the bystanders begin to mumble angrily, "Who can forgive sins but God?" Indeed!

Jesus hears the undertones of the heart and poses a question. "Which is easier, to forgive or to heal paralysis?" As they thought about that conundrum, he said to the man, "Just to show you that the Son of Man has the authority to forgive sins, take up your mat and walk home." And everyone was happy and amazed . . . well, almost everyone.