g, pervasive, isolating, ceremonially and physically
defiling, surely leprosy is a fitting emblem of sin; and this graphic
narrative presents a parable of the power of Christ to cleanse and to heal
and to restore. It is a vivid picture which Luke draws; the humble trust
of the poor sufferer, his pitiful cry, the sympathetic touch of Jesus, the
word of command and the instant cure. While Jesus forbade the man to
arouse excitement by telling of his healing, he commanded him to report
his case to the priest, that the highest religious authorities might have
unanswerable testimony to the divine power of Christ, and also that the
man might bring the offerings required by the Law and thus express his
gratitude to God. Our Master does expect all who have felt his healing
touch to testify of his grace and to show their gratitude by offering to
him the service of their lives.

Such miracles could not be hid. The crowds so pressed upon Jesus that he
was forced to withdraw to the desert for rest; and as the scene closed he
who had startled the multitude by the manifestation of his divine power
was left alone seeking help from God in prayer.

3. Jesus Forgiving Sins. Ch. 5:17-26

17 And it came to pass on one of those days, that he was teaching;
and there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, who
were come out of every village of Galilee and Judaea and Jerusalem:
and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, men
bring on a bed a man that was palsied: and they sought to bring
him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And not finding by what
_way_ they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went
up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his
couch into the midst before Jesus. 20 And seeing their faith, he
said, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the
Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh
blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But Jesus
perceiving their reasonings, answered and said unto them, Why
reason ye in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are
forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk? 24 But that ye may know
that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he
said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise, and take
up thy couch, and go unto thy house. 25 And immediately he rose up
before them, and took u