Obedience Provides A Platform For The Gospel

Sometimes those moments, issues, circumstances, etc. that feel paralyzing, scream so loudly that the wonder that we have been forgiven of our sins by grace through faith in Christ alone begins to get drowned out. We let the temporary here and now take precedent over the eternal. The thing bringing paralysis matters. But ultimately God wants to use it as a platform for the Gospel. Look at the passage we’ve been studying again,

"And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed.

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,

‘Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.’

And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves,

‘This man is blaspheming.’

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said,

‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say,

“Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Rise and walk”?

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—

he then said to the paralytic—

‘Rise, pick up your bed and go home.’

And he rose and went home.

When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God,

who had given such authority to men.”

Matthew 9:2-8

We look to the Lord for help in our paralysis; we cry out to Him. As we hear, we obey. What if the man hadn’t risen up, picked up his bed, and gone home? He would have blown the assignment to showcase that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins – the very reason He came.

Lord, cause us to cry out, hear, and obey, so that our need for help becomes a showcase for others to see You, fear You, and give You glory as the Gospel is revealed.