Luke 5: 17-26 New King James Version (RVR1960)
17 One day it happened that he was teaching, and the Pharisees and the doctors of the law were sitting, who had come from all the villages of Galilee, and from Judea and Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And it came to pass that some men who were bringing a paralyzed man to bed, were trying to bring him inside and put him before him. 19 But not finding a way to do it because of the crowd, they went up to the top of the house and knocked him down on the roof with his bed, placing him in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw his faith, he said to him, Man, your sins are forgiven. 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to reflect, saying: Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but only God? 22 Jesus then, knowing their thoughts, responding said to them: What do you reflect in your hearts? 23 Which is easier to say: Your sins are forgiven, or to say: Get up and walk? 24 So that you know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins (he said to the paralytic): To you I say: Get up, take your bed and go home. 25 Immediately, rising in his presence and taking the bed in which he was lying, he went home, glorifying God. 26 And all, overwhelmed with astonishment, glorified God; and full of fear they said: Today we have seen wonders.
Although it is true that not all afflictions are the result of a specific sin, in this case the cause of the disease was sin, because the man was healed when Jesus said to him: "Your sins are forgiven you."
It is clear from Jesus' words that he could have said, "Get up and walk," or "Your sins are forgiven." In many cases, the prayer for healing must begin with the confession of sins and repentance (James 5:16).
That Jesus linked healing with forgiveness also shows a divine interest in complete human well-being. Obviously, the forgiveness of sins is our greatest need; However, Jesus does not proclaim this need for divine forgiveness without further affirming his deep interest in human suffering.
Un additional comment. This episode teaches us how healing occurs when a group prays together, and everyone agrees on what they pray (Lk 5:17). The healing of the paralytic occurred through the intervention of people who showed concern and whose faith managed to overcome all obstacles.