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46
The Ministry of Health and Healing
ing. 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
.
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.
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
.
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.
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?
But the Pharisees, fearful of losing their influence with the mul-
titude, said in their hearts, “‘Why does this Man speak blasphemies
like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’”
Mark 2:7
.
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