The Get Down

MiraclesThe Get DownLuke 5:17-26 - Miracles were a HUGE part of Jesus’ ministry… but why? Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God breaking through and arriving and taking up space – Jesus’ miracles displayed and proved that He was binding up the enemy and that His Kingdom truly was invading! (Each week will have a similar intro to help our people understand that miracles were never the point – but they revealed something MORE!)In Luke 5:17-26 Jesus’ teaching and miracle stick together. They work together. One proves the other. Jesus had been teaching about His Kingdom before the roof opened up. Crowds AND religious leaders were listening in. The man on the mat does not FIRST hear, “Get up and walk,” he hears, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” (WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE PHARISEES RESPONSE IN THIS STORY AS JESUS IS ADDRESSING THEIR SINFUL HEARTS THE WHOLE TIME – He just happens to use this paralyzed man’s life as the illustration). In this case, Jesus said, “Which is easier, to say your sins are forgiven or get up and walk?” Verse 24 becomes key in our understanding of this miracle and miracles in particular: “So I will prove that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins.” Then Jesus heals the man.The Pharisees had a correct understanding of sin and God and forgiveness, they were the ones who say, “Who does this guy think he is, only God can forgive sin.” (their THEOLOGY was correct), but their hearts were far from God – not believing – not moved to help the man on the mat – nothing.This story tells us about Jesus’ authority. It also tells us of our deepest need: forgiveness. The issue at the center of all our brokenness is sin. It’s separated us from God, it’s kept us from believing, it’s kept us prideful and rejecting of God’s words and help. BUT – Jesus came into the world to break the work of the devil (1 John 3:8b - But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.) The Kingdom breaking through does mean healing of sickness, wholeness where there is brokenness, but the Kingdom breaks through to destroy our UNBELIEF, first.The crowds, the man on the mat and his friends, they went away worshipping God. Miracles invite us to acknowledge God at work, but they are pointers to our hearts, calling out to us to WORSHIP God.