Mark 2:1-12
1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
In this story of the healing of the paralytic who is lowered through the roof, I am struck by both the power of Jesus and the power of caring friends. The power of Jesus is evident in healing both physical and spiritual problems. When he tells the man "Son, your sins are forgiven" (verse 5), the teachers of the law become upset because of the authority that he is claiming to forgive sins, so Jesus shows them he has authority over all things by also healing the man's paralysis. This should be encouraging to us, to know that Jesus can heal us in all areas of our life. This belief motivated the man's friends to go to extreme measures for their friend, and Jesus comments that it is because of their faith that their friend has his sins forgiven (verse 5). This is astonishing when you think about it, for it means that our faith can affect not only our own forgiveness, but also the forgiveness of those we care about. This should motivate us to pray for loved ones, and to act on their behalf. We can make a difference in the lives of those around us, when we intercede for them.
Lord, You are amazing, with the power to heal all things, and to forgive all things. I need your forgiveness and mercy, and my family and friends need your forgiveness. Please touch them with your healing power.
1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
In this story of the healing of the paralytic who is lowered through the roof, I am struck by both the power of Jesus and the power of caring friends. The power of Jesus is evident in healing both physical and spiritual problems. When he tells the man "Son, your sins are forgiven" (verse 5), the teachers of the law become upset because of the authority that he is claiming to forgive sins, so Jesus shows them he has authority over all things by also healing the man's paralysis. This should be encouraging to us, to know that Jesus can heal us in all areas of our life. This belief motivated the man's friends to go to extreme measures for their friend, and Jesus comments that it is because of their faith that their friend has his sins forgiven (verse 5). This is astonishing when you think about it, for it means that our faith can affect not only our own forgiveness, but also the forgiveness of those we care about. This should motivate us to pray for loved ones, and to act on their behalf. We can make a difference in the lives of those around us, when we intercede for them.
Lord, You are amazing, with the power to heal all things, and to forgive all things. I need your forgiveness and mercy, and my family and friends need your forgiveness. Please touch them with your healing power.