In the New Testament, the account of the healing of the paralyzed man provides a profound illustration of thankfulness to God. This narrative is found in the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus demonstrates His divine authority and compassion, leading to an expression of gratitude from the healed man and those who witnessed the miracle.

Biblical Account

The account is recorded in Luke 5:17-26. Jesus was teaching in a house filled with Pharisees and teachers of the law. The power of the Lord was present for Him to heal the sick. A group of men, carrying a paralyzed friend on a mat, sought to bring him to Jesus. Unable to reach Him due to the crowd, they displayed remarkable faith and determination by lowering the man through the roof into the midst of the gathering.

Upon seeing their faith, Jesus addressed the paralyzed man, saying, "Friend, your sins are forgiven" (Luke 5:20). This declaration stirred the Pharisees and teachers, who questioned in their hearts, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Luke 5:21).

Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus responded, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." He then said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home" (Luke 5:22-24).

Expression of Thankfulness

Immediately, the man stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. The crowd, witnessing this miraculous event, was filled with awe and also glorified God, saying, "We have seen remarkable things today" (Luke 5:25-26).

The healed man's response of glorifying God is a direct expression of thankfulness. His immediate action of praising God upon receiving healing reflects a heart transformed by the encounter with Jesus. This gratitude is not only personal but also communal, as those who witnessed the miracle joined in glorifying God.

Theological Implications

This account underscores the importance of thankfulness as a response to God's grace and power. The healing of the paralyzed man serves as a testament to Jesus' authority to forgive sins and His compassion to heal physical ailments. The narrative highlights the integral connection between faith, forgiveness, and thankfulness.

The man's thankfulness is rooted in the recognition of Jesus' divine authority and the transformative power of His word. It serves as a model for believers to respond with gratitude for both spiritual and physical blessings received from God. The communal aspect of thankfulness, as seen in the reaction of the crowd, emphasizes the role of witnessing and sharing in the joy of God's miraculous works.

In this biblical account, thankfulness is portrayed as an essential aspect of faith, reflecting a heart that acknowledges God's sovereignty and grace. The healed man's glorification of God is a testament to the profound impact of Jesus' ministry and the appropriate response of gratitude for His redemptive work.Luke 5:25
And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that where on he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
Nave's Topical Index

The Great Council
... Silent and watchful at his post sits the young man who is ... And if any say, 'There
was a time when God was not ... The hearts of all are full of joy and thankfulness. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 3 the great council.htm

Prayers Answered
... apparently helpless state, I employed a man to take ... state I made my prayer to God
continually, that ... I record with thankfulness this restoration of my disabled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/prayers answered.htm

2 Thessalonians ii. 9-Jun
... to think present things dreadful but worthy of thankfulness. ... and to their unanimity,
to which God everywhere has ... For that which a man praying by himself is not ...
/.../homily iv 2 thessalonians ii.htm

A Stanza of Deliverance
... it to be a great gain to a man to be ... by the sorrows from which they are delivered
by God. ... can enter into rest, have equal reasons for thankfulness, since they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a stanza of deliverance.htm

Acts xvii. 16, 17
... judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He ... our united thanks all of us
to God, and never ... may receive a large recompense for our thankfulness of heart ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxviii acts xvii 16.htm

Christ's Birth
... to take to his heart, in joy and thankfulness, the holy ... a hill near the temple to
the future Mother of God. ... her sleep: Herod has had a pious man murdered who ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

Book ii.
... of them, rather than remember them with thankfulness; that we ... The man was plainly
good and chaste, full of devotion towards God, chaste towards his wife. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

Another Wonderful Record of 25.
... were tears of joy and gladness, of gratitude and thankfulness. I felt ashamed of
myself for doubting God's word, and I ... A REFRACTORY MAN COMPELLED TO PAY A DEBT ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/another wonderful record of 25 00.htm

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