Sure, I'll Take My Mat and Walk (I Guess, Maybe, Someday)

Luke 5:17-26 (NIV) One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

See also: Matthew 9:2-8, Mark 2:1-12

The story of the healing of the paralytic is a well-worn story. I have heard sermons focused on the four friends, the paralytic, Jesus and the crowds, and even the homeowner who was left with a hole in the roof. I could go lots of different ways with this verse. Today, I am being drawn to paralytic's response to Jesus' command.

I cannot relate wholly to what the paralytic felt at the time — never been one. But I can imagine it was difficult to choose to respond to what Jesus commanded. And yet, the Luke text says, "Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God." It does not say that he sat there for a couple minutes stretching and testing his legs to see if he was equipped to carry out the command. He spent no time testing the waters, ensuring in his own mind that what he was about to do wasn't go to fail. He did not, apparently, spend even a moment concerning himself with what would happen if he faltered, fell, and embarrassed himself before the crowd. Failure was not an option. Even the possibility of failure was not an option. There was no time for even one "but what if…".

And as this man got up, took his mat, and went home praising God, the crowd stood in awe ... much like I am now. This man did not just accept the gift of forgiveness and sit there with a big grin. Why not? He now has a great seat in front of the crowd! What better pew to listen to the rest of the sermon! No. He did not just camp out on his mat. His faith caused him to get up and walk … with no hesitation.

In a similar way, Jesus commands me to love God with everything I have. Has anyone ever tried commanding a child to love them? And yet my Father in heaven has done just that: "Love Me!" If I was the paralytic how would I respond? "Oh, you mean this mat? Sure. I guess. Maybe someday I'll do that." I think in some respects, that is the way I am responding to his command. I am still sitting here — thankful and praising Him to be sure, but acting as if I was still paralyzed.

Has anyone ever commanded a child to love their sibling? Whoo! Sure, that always works!? No matter how hard I try, I cannot command, convince, cajole, or coerce myself into loving someone I cannot stand (nor the other way around, for that matter). And yet, the command stands: "Love your neighbor!"

As I shine the light of Jesus' healing of the paralytic through these two commandments, I am struck by this Truth: Jesus never commands us to do anything He has not already equipped us to perform. When the Holy Spirit whispers, "NOW! QUICK! Love THAT neighbor" I can step out in confidence that He has already laid the groundwork for success. All He desires is for me to respond in faith. All He asks is that I take my mat and walk.

… and [I] went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

Could happen. Maybe even today!