Jesus didn’t leave anyone out. He tried until the end to reach the religious leaders without success.

I just noticed recently, from the beginning of the story, Jesus was trying to reach the leaders. In the story of the man let down through the roof, we have this exchange:

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” (Mark 2.5 – 11, ESV)

By the way, I’ll never forget one pastor’s observation on “…when Jesus saw their faith.” What did Jesus see? Their tearing up the roof and lowering the man? Of course. But this pastor suggested one more thing: “I think they dropped the ropes!”

Back to the exchange with the scribes (religious leaders): “But that you may know…” Jesus hardly ever does things the same way twice. In this story, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” was designed to get the attention of the religious leaders. And then he closes with “But that you may know…”

I’m trying to tell you something here. You believe that the man was paralyzed because of some sin. Therefore, for him to walk, that sin must be forgiven. Right? Watch this!

Don’t give up! You’re trying to help someone understand the truth? Don’t give up. Try different approaches. Jesus used miracles, stories, direct confrontation, and even quiet conversations (See John 3) to reach the leaders.

To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9.20 – 22, ESV)