“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith”

 

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 5:17-26:

Also see: Matthew 9:1-8 ; Mark 2:1-12 .

The story of this text revolves around the concept that Jesus had the power to control the un-seen by performing a miraculous deed which could be seen (we will talk about this more in the lesson). The man Jesus was to heal was a paralytic. Palsy was a form of paralysis that rendered a man helpless.

Text #1:

Luke 5:17 “Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”

Having crossed over the Sea of Galilee , Jesus came to His own city ( Capernaum ), Matthew 9:1 ; Mark 2:1 . Mark's account asserts that Jesus was within a house and that it became so crowded that you could not even approach the door. We will see within the body of teaching that the Pharisees and teachers of the Law were only there to find fault with the Lord.

Text #2:

Luke 5:18-20 “Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

Through the Tiling: Houses of this day were made with flat roofs which were covered over with roofing tile. These tiles could be taken up without any damage to the building in a very similar style as today. After making this opening through the roof, they let the bed down directly in the presence of Jesus.

The purpose behind all this effort is given in the stated intention of the men to lay this paralyzed man before Jesus. Every indication is that they only knew that He had the power to heal this man and that this is what motivated their creative persistence. There is no evidence to suggest that the paralyzed man or those with him had asked for what Jesus had granted him; there is however, every indication that Jesus would give the man what he truly sought as a lesson to shame those who only sought to find fault in Him (more on this to come). Here Jesus recognizes that the men had such faith in His ability to heal this man that they became creatively persistent in getting the man in front of the Lord.

Text #3:

Luke 5:21 -24 “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" --He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."

Speaks Blasphemies: Matthew's & Mark's account expand on the fact that the scribes and Pharisees did not speak this accusation openly, but they reasoned within themselves and spoke this only amongst them.

Blaspheme: This word comes from the Greek, “ Blasphemeo ” which means; “to speak reproachfully, revile, and to come short of the reverence due to God or to sacred things”. Thus in their hearts the scribes and the Pharisees are accusing Jesus of disrespect for God by claiming the authority to forgive.

Perceived Their Thoughts: The scribes and Pharisees were afraid to make their accusations so that the masses could hear it, but Jesus not only knew their hearts, but He exposed them openly.

Which is Easier: The thing which Jesus declared to be done for the paralyzed man was invisible to the eye, thus open to question. He then proposed to make another declaration that would be visible if accomplished, thus no longer open to question. The statement, “Which is easier” is given to declare that if he has the authority and power to do one, He likewise has the power to do the other.

Consider the premise behind this miracle. Jesus said that He came to be a sacrifice for the ransom of many ( Matthew 20:28 ; Mark 10:45 ), which the results of that sacrifice would not be visibly discernable, thus open to question. However; if He were to rise from the dead by the power of God, which He did in the presence of many witnesses ( Romans 1:4 ; I Corinthians 15:1-8 ), thus not subject to question, in order show that He was the Son of God.

By doing so, He demonstrated His God-given power over one; likewise He should be able to demonstrate His God-given power over the other ( Romans 5:8-9 ).

Acts 2:36 -38 " Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus , whom you crucified , both Lord and Christ ." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins ; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The power over one is the proof of the power over the other! The words of Peter should mean so much to us with this knowledge.

That You May Know: Jesus then proved His power to do the invisible by doing the visible. Addressing the palsied man, Jesus told him to take up the bed that had brought him into the house and go to his own house under his own power.

This statement, “That you may know” was given to the scribes and Pharisees to their shame. They were only present there to find fault and challenge the authority of Jesus. They did not even display the faith of the men who brought the paralyzed man before the Lord, just knowing His power to heal.

Text #4:

Luke 5:25-26 “Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today!"

Immediately: As with all the miracles of scripture performed to verify the power of God working through those whom He has sent; they were immediate and indisputable.

Amazed: Matthew's account states that they marveled ( Matthew 9:8 ). Both seem to be accurate in describing the state of those who witnessed this event. In any case, these ordinary people recognized that they had witnessed the power of God (glorified God).

Luke concludes his testament of this event by stating that the people had witnessed, “Strange things today” . This is best explained by combining all three accounts. In this we learn that the people had never seen “Anything like this” ( Mark 2:12 ) as the power of God displayed in such a way through “men” ( Matthew 9:8 ).

Next: “ A Tax Collector and Fasting ”