The Perceiver of Thoughts

I. THE REQUEST OF THE FAITHFUL (Luke 5:17-19; Matthew 9:1-2a; Mark 2:1-4)

A. The Presence of God’s Power (Luke 5:17)

1. Christ was teaching.
2. Pharisees and doctors of the law were sitting by.
3. The power of the Lord was present to heal.

B. The Presence of a Crowd (Mark 2:1-2)

1. It was noised that Jesus was in the house (Mark 2:1).
2. There was no room to receive people (Mark 2:2).

C. The Presence of a Sick Man (Luke 5:18; Matthew 9:2a; Mark 2:3)

1. He was taken of the palsy.
2. He was confined to a bed.

D. The Purpose of Four Men (Luke 5:18-19; Matthew 9:2a; Mark 2:4)

1. They sought to bring the sick man to Jesus (Luke 5:18).
2. They laboured intensely to get the man to Jesus (Luke 5:19).
a. They could not find by what way they might bring him in.
b. They went upon the housetop.
c. They uncovered the roof (Mark 2:4).
d. They let him down through the tiling.

II. THE RESPONSE OF THE SAVIOUR (Luke 5:20; Matthew 9:2b; Mark 2:5)

A. He Saw the Faith of the Men

1. The Lord saw the faith of the four. Note: Obviously faith can be seen.
2. Nothing is said of the sick man demonstrating faith.

B. He Forgave the Sins of the Sick

1. The faith of the four brought forgiveness to the sick.
2. Note: This is not the reason why the four brought the sick man to Jesus. Additionally, this is the last thing we would have expected to hear as the Saviour’s response.

III. THE REASONING OF THE RELIGIOUS (Luke 5:21; Matthew 9:3; Mark 2:6-7)

A. The Place of Their Reasoning

1. They “began to reason” (Luke 5:21) and it was called “their thoughts” (Luke 5:22).
2. They “said within themselves” (Matthew 9:3) and it was called “their thoughts (Matthew 9:4).
3. They were “reasoning in their hearts” (Mark 2:6).

B. The Content of Their Reasoning

1. The accusation of blasphemies
2. The assumption that Jesus was not God

IV. THE RESPONSE OF THE SAVIOUR (Luke 5:22-24; Matthew 9:4-6; Mark 2:8-11)

A. He Perceived Their Thoughts (Luke 5:22; Matthew 9:4; Mark 2:8)

1. He perceived their thoughts (Luke 5:22; Matthew 9:4).
2. He perceived in his spirit that they reasoned within themselves (Mark 2:8).
3. This was not uncommon concerning Christ (John 2:24-25; John 16:30; John 21:17).

B. He Heightened the Difficulty (Luke 5:23-24; Matthew 9:5-6; Mark 2:9-11)

1. The question of ease (Luke 5:23; Matthew 9:5; Mark 2:9)
2. The granting of the men’s initial request (Luke 5:24; Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:10-11)
a. That the people would know the Son of man hath power to forgive
b. Arise, take up thy couch, and go
3. Note: It is very likely this whole thing was intended to reveal the true nature of the heart of these religious leaders.

V. THE REFLECTION OF THE AUDIENCE (Luke 5:25-26; Matthew 9:7-8; Mark 2:12)

A. The Healing of the Man (Luke 5:25; Matthew 9:7; Mark 2:12a)

1. He rose and departed to his own house.
2. He went glorifying God.

B. The Awe of the Onlookers (Luke 5:26; Matthew 9:8; Mark 2:12b)

1. They were amazed and filled with fear.
2. They glorified God.
3. They claimed to have seen strange things.