Many of those who came to Christ for help had brought disease on themselves, yet He did not refuse to heal them. And when virtue from Him entered into these people, they were convicted of sin. Many were healed of their spiritual disease as well as of their physical maladies.MHH 34.1

Among these was the paralytic at Capernaum. Like the leper, this man had lost all hope of recovery. His disease was the result of a sinful life, and his sufferings were embittered by remorse. He had appealed to the Pharisees and physicians for relief, but they pronounced him incurable. They denounced him as a sinner and declared that he would die under the wrath of God.MHH 34.2

The palsied man had sunk into despair. Then he heard of Jesus. Others, as sinful and helpless as he, had been healed, and he was encouraged to believe that he, too, might be cured if he could be carried to the Savior. But hope fell as he remembered the cause of his malady. Yet he could not dismiss the possibility of healing.MHH 34.3

His great desire was relief from the burden of sin. He longed to see Jesus and receive the assurance of forgiveness and peace with heaven. Then he would be content to live or die, according to God’s will.MHH 34.4

There was no time to lose. Already his wasted flesh bore signs of death. He asked his friends to carry him on his bed to Jesus, and this they gladly set out to do. But so dense was the crowd that had assembled in and around the house where the Savior was that it was impossible for the sick man and his friends to reach Him. They were unable to get close enough even to hear His voice.MHH 34.5

Jesus was teaching in the home of Peter. As usual, His disciples sat close to Him, and “there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem.” Luke 5:17. Many of these had come as spies, looking for reasons to criticize Jesus. Beyond these thronged a mixed multitude—the eager, the reverent, the curious, and the unbelieving. Different nationalities and all levels of society were represented. “And the power of the Lord was present to heal.” Verse 17. The Spirit of life brooded over the assembly, but the Pharisees and lawyers did not discern His presence. They felt no sense of need, and the healing was not for them. “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.” Luke 1:53.MHH 34.6

Again and again the men bearing the paralytic tried to push their way through the crowd, but failed. The sick man looked about him in unutterable anguish. How could he relinquish hope when the longed-for help was so near? At his suggestion his friends carried him to the top of the house, then broke up the roof and let him down at the feet of Jesus.MHH 35.1

The Savior looked upon the mournful countenance and saw the pleading eyes fixed upon Him. He well knew the longing of that burdened soul. It was He who had brought conviction to his conscience when he was yet at home. When he repented of his sins and believed in the power of Jesus to make him whole, the mercy of the Savior had blessed his heart. Jesus had watched the first glimmer of faith grow into a conviction that He was the sinner’s only helper, and had seen it grow stronger with every effort to come into His presence. It was Christ who had drawn the sufferer to Himself. Now, in words that fell like music on the listener’s ear, the Savior said, “‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.’” Matthew 9:2.MHH 35.2

The burden of guilt rolls from the sick man’s soul. He cannot doubt. Christ’s words reveal His power to read the heart. Who can deny His power to forgive sins? Hope takes the place of despair, and joy replaces oppressive gloom. The man’s physical pain is gone, and his whole being is transformed. Making no further request, he lay in peaceful silence, too happy for words.MHH 35.3

Many were watching with breathless interest every movement in this strange transaction. Many felt that Christ’s words were an invitation to them. Were they not soul-sick because of sin? Did they not want to be free from this burden?MHH 35.4

But the Pharisees, fearful of losing their influence with the multitude, said in their hearts, “‘Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” Mark 2:7.MHH 35.5

Jesus fixed His glance upon them, and as they cowered and drew back He said, “‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you,” or to say, “Arise and walk”? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins,’” He said, turning to the paralytic, “‘Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’” Matthew 9:4-6.MHH 35.6

Then the paralytic who had been carried on a litter to Jesus rose to his feet with the agility and strength of youth. And immediately he “took up the bed, and went out in the presence of all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’” Mark 2:12.MHH 36.1

It required nothing less than creative power to restore health to that decaying body. The same voice that spoke life to man created from the dust of the earth had spoken life to the dying paralytic. And the same power that gave life to the body had renewed his heart. He who at creation “spoke, and it was,” who “commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:9), had spoken life to the soul dead in trespasses and sins. The healing of the body was an evidence of the power that had renewed the heart. Christ commanded the paralytic to arise and walk, “‘that you may know,’” He said, “‘that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.’”MHH 36.2

“You Will Find Rest”

Healing for Soul and Body