April 16, 2024

Going through Bible college and spending a good bit of time around people who know the Scriptures, it’s funny to me how passionate people become about the “specifics” of someone coming to Christ or being what we call “saved.” Some people are adamant about the fact that an individual has to say certain words or make a particular statement before they can be right with God. Some people feel that a true commitment to Christ can only occur at an altar or in what is considered a holy or sacred place. Still others say that a person isn’t truly saved until they have been baptized—whether that be dipped, dabbed, or dunked. And, of course, all of these will cite scriptures to prove their point.
What I find interesting is how none of these things seemed to be of real concern to Jesus. Zacchaeus simply declared that he was going to be generous and pay back what he cheated people out of. The thief on the cross simply said, “Remember me.” And here, in our passage today, the paralytic man doesn’t say anything at all. Yet Jesus says to him, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” How could Jesus forgive this man and save this man, without him ever asking Jesus for forgiveness and salvation? Simple. Jesus knew his heart. Jesus heard what no one else in the room could hear. The internal cry of a man who wanted his life to change.
Wow. That’s so powerful. And so important for us to remember. It’s important because we often are too quick to make assumptions about people and where they are on their journey of faith or whether or not they have a relationship with Christ because of what we have observed or not observed from the outside. We need to remember that we don’t see and hear what God sees and hears. We could be way off base.
The other thing to remember is that you don’t have to have the right words or have performed the right rituals for God to know your love for Him or your faith in Him. You don’t have to pray like a pastor or have jumped through a bunch of religious hoops to have a relationship with Christ. You don’t have to have a signed document hanging on your wall to assure you of a place in the Family of God. And you don’t have to worry if God accepts you if you truly believe in Him and are truly broken and repentant, but you haven’t told anyone about it. He does. Like the paralytic, we’re all left without words sometimes in the presence of God’s amazing love and grace. But it’s okay. Jesus hears your heart. That’s God’s Word for you today.