Jesus had just forgiven the sins of a paralysed man (Luke 5:17-23).  The disabled person and his friends knew that if he could get to Jesus, Jesus would do the rest.  Lowered down through a hole in the roof, he became the focus of attention until Jesus said that He personally forgave the man's sins.  Religious protocol was upset; only God could do that!  They watched Jesus' next move very carefully.  He was not cowered by their criticism; indeed, He made a point of proving that He had authority which they did not.

Linking forgiveness of sins with the man's sickness - a result of the curse on the whole of sinful humanity (Genesis 3:17-19) – Jesus then commanded the man to get up from his stretcher-bed and go home.  The man obeyed, free of all that prevented him; and with great joy because Jesus had also lifted the curse of sin off him.  Everybody, including the now-mobile man were amazed.  Wonderfully, their criticism melted away and even the cynics could not stop themselves praising God for what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20).

Despite much sickness in the world, and death which is inevitable, our greatest need is not of healing but forgiveness.  That is not to say that God's power of healing is not real, but that every healed body will eventually die, unless Jesus returns first.  Although it is easier to disguise our sin than our sickness, we need forgiveness even more than we desire healthy bodies.  That is because our bodies are mortal, but our souls are immortal, destined for either eternal life or judgement.  The Bible says that the road to forgiveness starts with admitting we need help we cannot get, and without it we have no hope.  That is why we come to Jesus, because He has proved that He has power over sin's curse. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  So, admit your need, and the impossibility of being made spiritually well unless Jesus does it for you.

Jesus said that His death and resurrection opened the mission of the church to preach the need for repentance and the availability of forgiveness to all who do repent (Luke 24:46-47).  It is as personal a matter for us as it was for the paralysed man.  It is the same today.  Those who come to Jesus in brokenness will be forgiven and equipped to witness to His amazing grace.  Who is going to tell people in your workplace that God loves them and Jesus has provided a way for them to be forgiven?  That is the message of the gospel, but it needs a messenger.  You!