2023

Mark 2: 1-12             (Also in Matt 9: 1-8 and Luke 5: 17-26) 

(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!”

 We once again find people eager to hear Jesus’ teachings. While at home, many had gathered where no more could enter the house. Many of these were religious leaders. Along came people with a paralytic trying to get to Jesus, but could not make their way in. They go to the roof top and pulled back the tile and lowered the paralytic to Jesus. Jesus saw their faith and told the man your sins are forgiven.

  This is where the story gets good. The people are like Woah, this man speaks blasphemy, who is He to forgive sins? Who can forgive sins but God alone. Jesus answers to them, why they question things, what is easier to say, your sins are forgiven, or rise and take up your bed and walk? I would like to think that Jesus has a sense of humor while making His point. To say your sins are forgiven requires no physical proof. But to now heal the man, would prove that He has power appointed from God and yes, He can forgive sins. He tells the Paralytic to rise, pick up your bed and go home. They were all amazed and had never seen anything like that. Now Jesus has been healing the sick already, but the events that just took place, with Him now forgiving sins with the proof that He has authority to do so was not seen before.

 So here we are finding where Jesus is setting the stage that He has all authority on Earth given to Him from the Father. That he is the Mediator between God and Man. He is the Son of God.

1 Timothy  2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Matthew  28:18   And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

John 14:6   Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”