And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Ver. 2. They brought unto him a man sick, &c.] Show we like mercy to our sin sick friends, bring them to the ordinances, present them to that Sun of righteousness that hath healing under his wings. To an Almighty physician no disease can be incurable. He is as able and as ready still to heal those that are brought unto him. He hath lost nothing by heaven, be sure. But as Aaron, though he might not lament over his dead sons, because as high priest he entered into the holy place, yet he still retained the affections and bowels of a father; so the Lord Christ, though in heaven, is no less loving and large hearted to his than when he was in the flesh. Bring therefore all your brethren for an offering to the Lord; and if they cannot or will not come otherwise, bring them as the prophet bids, "upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters," Isaiah 66:20 : q.d. though sick, weakly, and unfit for travel, yet rather in litters than not at all.
Son, be of good cheer] And well he might, when his sins were forgiven. This mercy is enough to make a man everlastingly merry. Viscount Lisle, in Henry VIII's time, died for joy of an unexpected pardon from his prince. How great then is the comfort of pardon from God! Such are bidden to be glad, rejoice, and shout for joy, Psalms 32:1; Psalms 32:11. And all others flatly forbidden to take any comfort, Hosea 9:1. Etiamsi tibi laeta obveniant omnia, non est tamen quod laeteris. (Ribera.)
Thy sins are forgiven thee] And yet his disease remained upon him for some while after. Behold, "he whom thou lovest is sick," said they of Lazarus, John 11:3. We must make a new Bible, ere we can necessarily conclude that God is heavily offended because we are heavily afflicted. He that escapes affliction may suspect his adoption, Proverbs 3:12 .