We read about a paralyzed man who was carried to Jesus by four people. Since there was a large crowd in the house they could not enter the place. They carried the man up to the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. He was healed and all the others were amazed.

This miracle can be viewed from a different plane. The four men were concerned about the immobilized man who was confined to bed . He was therefore debarred from performing the regular duties that would enlarge his mental, physical, social and emotional boundaries. Such a man was identified by those who were concerned and was led to Jesus to be cured.

There are many of us who are paralyzed spiritually, and emotionally. Our bitter experiences, unpleasant situations, unhealthy relationships, unproductive alliance, negative thinking, involvement in undesirable activities and onslaught of ungodly thoughts keep us chained and paralyzed. We have read that many powerful preaches who shake the world with their power packed words, have been initially led to God through a person who took them to a meeting or convention. These four men literally carried the man to a place where Jesus was teaching. It may not be always easy to take a spiritually paralyzed man to Jesus. It involves a lot of trouble and cooperation. These four men may not have been of the same height. So they would have made a lot of adjustments while they carried the man. They would have met with adverse criticism and discouraging remarks. Even now, similar efforts to encourage our spiritually parlayed friends meet with such discouragement. Another impediment was the roof. So the four had to open the roof. Established structures and institutional regulations might sometimes disturb the efforts of people to lead others to freedom. Sometimes meaningless rituals and regulations keep one paralyzed.

Though the four lowered him at the feet of Jesus it was the effort of the man himself that put him on his feet. It was the word of the savior that put life within him. When Jesus declared that the man’s sins were forgiven, he was free. Even today, when our sins are forgiven we all become free and active. The paralyzed man would have agreed to be carried to Jesus. First one has to acknowledge that the healing touch of the savior is needed. This is the first step for freedom. Then people who care will encourage him to find the healing that comes from Jesus.

We need to first acknowledge that we need a saviour who can set us free from emotional and spiritual paralysis.

As free people, we need to be concerned about those who are similarly paralyzed and help them reach deliverance.

Dr. (Mrs.) Edriana Jeyasingh