The Paralytic Church (Luke 5:17-26)

“So that you may know the Son of Man has the right and the power on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the man who could not move his body, “I say to you, get up. Take your bed and go to your home.” At once the sick man got up in front of them. He took his bed and went to his home thanking God. All those who were there were surprised and gave thanks to God, saying, “We have seen very special things today.”

Luke 5:24-26

When the Spirit of God first came into my life at an Acquire the Fire Conference in Minneapolis ten years ago, it was a huge spiritual high. I was fired up on the ride home, but, it soon began to set in how broken I truly was. Over the next few years, I would shy away from God, only to come right back, paralyzed and filled with shame because of the weight of my sin. I soon started hopping around to as many churches and Christian events as I could in hopes of finding a spiritual emotional high like Acquire the Fire, so I could spend more time there as a way to catalyze my faith. Every time I thought I found that next big thing, I would grow complacent and backslide. After my backslides, prayer time was spent lamenting or wallowing in my imperfections-my sin.

As I continued on my journey, eventually I came to the realization that I was making my faith walk about me. I wasted so much time pitying myself and seeking out “spirit-filled” experiences that were perfectly catered to me. No wonder I struggled to feel His presence, I had made my worship about myself. I was spending time with God as a consumer, not a son. This consumerism stopped me from going from spiritual milk to solid food. (Heb. 5:12-14) It kept me paralyzed, lying on my deathbed (our mat), complacent, and searching for a faith that followed my terms. I missed the big picture.

Jesus gives us new life on this earth, but oftentimes we choose to stay on our mat, complaining about our brokenness, our culture, and our church. God’s plan for our lives is so much bigger than this. All throughout Scripture, we see that after being impacted by Jesus, people do not search for the next spiritual high...instead, they are sent. (John 5:14, John 8:11, Mark 5:19-20, Luke 8:38-39) As we make church about us, our co-workers, our peers, and our friends are all growing farther apart from God. It is our job as co-heirs with Christ to LEAD those around us to His feet.

Let’s ask ourselves today, are we still lying on our mat? Paralyzed, searching for an experience with God that perfectly fits us? Or, do we see ourselves as redeemed children of God? Children of God who were saved from death (our mat) and told “Get up!” Are we merely consumers of church, or co-heirs who are sent to be a light to the world (including and especially those close to us), pointing others to Him so that He might be glorified.

Paralyzed -> Healed

Consumer -> Co-heir

Broken -> Made whole

Sinners -> Saved

Lord, thank you for your son who frees us from our shackles that paralyze us, and invites us to live a new life, redeemed and walking in righteousness. We ask you to continue to pour out your Spirit in and around us. Forgive us, God, for the times we make being a part of the body of Christ about us. As we turn to you, give us a new opportunity to step into our role as disciples and disciple-makers, so that more may come to know you and your glory. Send us, Lord. Amen