How do we approach Jesus?

Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for giving humans such authority. (Matthew 9:5-8)

I am not an authority on 'crowd thought', but it was not uncommon for the 'crowds' to come to Jesus, seeking signs and wonders, looking for all the 'good stuff' this 'man' had to offer without any commitment on their part. They'd bring the hurt, unhealthy, and even the insane, all in the hope of seeing some kind of 'action' on his part that changed the course of these people's lives. All those signs and wonders, and they still thought Jesus was a mere 'mortal'. Don't believe me? Read that last sentence again: "And they praised God for GIVING HUMANS such authority."

The changed lives were a great thing, but there was a definite disconnect between the 'crowd' and the ones actually touched by his grace, wasn't there? The man who had been paralyzed for who knows how long didn't just stand up - he jumped up and took his healing with him. The crowd just stood there, looking for the next 'big sign'. The teachers of the 'religious law' had a reaction, too. They criticized him, calling him a blasphemer, and asked the crowd if he thought he was God. Isn't that just like those too 'religious' that they are of no earthly good? They missed the moment to give God the glory!

Fear swept through the crowd. Why? Perhaps it was because they caught just a glimpse of God at that moment, and it concerned them because of their own sinfulness and lack of 'wholeness'. Did they fully recognize Jesus as the Son of God? Nope, but did they see just enough of God's goodness and grace that they felt a little uneasy in the presence of such holiness? I think so. Whenever we stand in the presence of the divine, we can feel a little 'uncomfortable' and even a bit 'fearful' because we are 'undone' by his holiness. The religious will criticize. The unforgiven and doubtful will tremble. 

The paralyzed man had but one hope - to walk again. The crowd had but one mission - to see the healer at work. The religious leaders had but one purpose in mind - to discredit the divinity of Jesus. How do we approach Jesus? As the crowd, seeking a glimpse of his works? As the religious, looking for ways to poke holes in his works? Or as the one who needs what no other can bring into one's life, seeking wholeness, health, and hope? Just askin...