Reflections For Lent

Matthew 9:2-13 NRSV

And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Follow Me

Have you ever been so overcome by something that you felt paralyzed? Were your friends there to encourage you and help you get through it? Today’s scripture tells of a paralyzed man whose friends brought him to Jesus, asking for mercy and healing for their comrade. Jesus, recognizing their deep faith, obliged their requests and even went beyond, forgiving the man of his sins. Sometimes, immobility isn’t caused by disease or injury but instead by some addiction or insecurity, causing people to feel unworthy or unredeemable. They, too, might need help getting to Jesus. 

We may discover others immobilized by their own pride and self-righteousness. Matthew is a man who shows no sign of actively seeking Jesus. Rather, Jesus calls to him, signifying that He chooses us first before we choose Him. His command to Matthew to “Follow me” was accompanied by the same almighty power as His command to the paralyzed man to “get up and walk.” Jesus’s mercy forever changed the lives of both men, who left their sin and paralysis behind to follow Him. Many others who witnessed these transformations were awed and impressed, encouraged to learn more about this Jesus, who took pity on sick, afflicted, and lost souls, forgiving them and healing them, giving new purpose to their lives. Who was this Man who desired mercy rather than sacrifice?    

There was a time in my own life when I felt lost and paralyzed with a sense of not being “good enough,” feeling unworthy to be in the presence of Jesus, when I was so filled with my own sense of self-preservation that I thought He must surely have abandoned me. He had never lost sight of me, of course, and held me in His hands all along. Finding my way back only took a few kind friends to walk me there and a willingness on my part to listen and follow when He called. As we move toward the cross today, let’s ask ourselves if we are listening and following when our Savior calls to us, glorifying Him with our words and actions, and helping others to find Him.

~Debbie Harmon~

Lord, we ask that you shape in us hearts full of mercy, compassion and forgiveness that demonstrate the same love for others that You have shown for us. In doing so, may we lead them to come and follow You. Amen