Reports about Jesus had spread like wild fire and attracted the attention of religious leaders all over. So, from “every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem” they sent representatives to go and investigate him. So, they came and simply “sat there”. They were not there to truly listen to Jesus’ message. Jesus knew who they were and why they came. He not only continued his ministry, he chose that moment to teach the crowd that he also has the power to forgive sins. Humanly speaking, his timing was terrible. Undeterred, Jesus went ahead and healed the paralytic. As we participate in Jesus’ ministry at home, church or the society, we too will encounter spectators who never get involved. We will encounter critics; the “know-it-alls” who censor and judge everything. We might even belong to one of the two. If so, we need to change. We should rather be like Jesus, paying little attention to the spectators and critics, but focusing on the tasks entrusted to us.
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, when discouraged by those around us, may the Holy Spirit fill us with courage. Amen.