Sermon for the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
But as baptized Christians, we have been given the new man in Christ. We are no longer stuck in the old way. As it says in the small catechism concerning what baptism indicates
It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
So we see more about Jesus’ agenda. He does not wish to just have a paralytic who rises and walks, but continues in futile thoughts, darkness, uncleanness, and alienation from God. What good is walking if that it is the case? Better, in fact, to be paralyzed and yet a new man in Christ, who lives in good conscience before God.
