Bait and Switch

Read Luke 5:17-26  

When I was a young teenager, I had big questions about purpose and life’s meaning.  I found those answers in Jesus Christ.  But I had to be forgiven in order to find that purpose. 

You may look everywhere BUT God for meaning and peace. 

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ. 

Blaise Pascal

The men bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing.  They leave with so much more.  Jesus sees their faith and answers a question they did not even dare to ask: “your sins are forgiven you.” 

Later Judaism would teach that God does not help sinners or liars, yet here is God, through Jesus, not only forgiving but healing.  It will give the Pharisees, who may have traveled as far as 200 kilometers from Jerusalem to scrutinize Jesus, something to think about. 

The good news is that God does help sinners. 

They came to Jesus for healing; they left with that and forgiveness too.  I came to Christ for meaning.  I left with that and forgiveness too, as well as a Father who would never leave me, a new set of true friends, a sense of inner peace, and the resources to achieve beyond anything I had accomplished in my young life.  Is it any wonder so many professional athletes are people of faith? 

You may come to God for answers about meaning and purpose, as I did.  You may come to God for relief from your addiction. You may come for help with your marriage.  Whatever you come for, he will welcome you, and send you off with so much more. 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30