From Human Condemnation to Divine CompassionSample

I want us to imagine ourselves as a paralytic on a stretcher for a moment, unable to move, listening and seeing people staring at us with pity or anger as the roof collapses. Not only would I be ill, but I would also feel accused and guilty.

Pain is often said to be a great teacher, but it can also act as a great jailer, as the weight of pain or guilt can blind us to the opportunities that divine compassion offers.

As the paralyzed man was being lowered from the roof, Jesus looked at him and said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." The law teachers were troubled by their thoughts: How could forgiveness be without prior punishment? How could there be redemption without a sacrifice? To them, it seemed blasphemous that Jesus, as God, would forgive without asking for something in return. They were focused on their understanding and didn't consider the suffering of the paralyzed man. This is how our minds work when we are trapped by human condemnation.

Like the paralytic, we all have certain areas in our lives where we experience disabilities that make us more likely to be taken by others, those who love us lead us to Jesus, but also others can take advantage of us. For example, if we suffer from self-rejection, we will feel more inclined to please others to get their attention, or if we have a victim mentality, we will feel more inclined to blame instead of taking charge of our lives. All of this only reproduces other dimensions of pain.

When I think about my own emotional struggles that led me to engage in behaviors that harmed me, or when I felt trapped in repeating negative patterns, I can understand what helped me break free from that dark and hopeless cycle. It wasn't about just addressing the symptoms and getting into conflicts that stem from my hurt. It was about healing from within, acknowledging my vulnerabilities, and embracing the guidance of someone older, someone who tells me, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.

What do you do when you are struggling with a sin that paralyzes you? How do you look at someone who has fallen? Do you judge them based on their past and demand punishment without understanding their pain, or wonder if they have already found redemption? Do you punish yourself thinking that if you go to Jesus, he will treat you worse? If Jesus understood the struggles of the paralytic's heart and freed him from that life, he may well understand the root of what is limiting your life better than you can imagine.

Let us pray: God, teach me to seek you when I need you most, to see myself as you see me when I run to your feet.