There are three main aspects to Jesus' earthly ministry: his teaching, his confrontation with and victory over the demonic, and his healing. In order to teach these stories well, you have to ask yourself the question, "Why did Jesus do all this healing?"

Jesus healed, first of all, as an act of kindness and mercy. He was captivated by the plight of suffering people. He also looked beyond physical ailments to find spiritual ailments. Finally, and most important, healings were signs of the coming of God's kingdom. They pictured the shalom of the new creation Jesus was ushering in. They were 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. The 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, tear a hole in it, and use ropes to let their friend down right in front of Jesus.

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

Now listen carefully to the text: "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'" He sees their faith, that is, the friends' faith in action, and rewards it. But instead of doing what they obviously expect him to do, he forgives the man's sins. What's that about?

Jesus' healing ministry had deep spiritual meaning. It pointed to God's 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 sins or to heal paralysis? As they think about that conundrum, he says, "Well, just to show you that the Son of Man has the authority to forgive sins, 'Look now, my friend, take up your mat and walk home.'" And everyone was happy and amazed. Well, almost everyone.