Mark 2:1-12 That you may know

I love this story. It cuts to the core of what Jesus was all about.

Jesus, after some time, returns to Capernaum to Simon and Andrew's house and 'immediately' He is crowded out

So "He preached the word to them." Jesus is right on task but He about to be interrupted.

Interuptions really rile me up. I resented having to spend so many of my days off cleaning up after last month's storm, despite the good feeling from having thrown out so much junk, cleaning under the house and getting the garden looking good.

But not so Jesus! He looks at the motives, not of the paralytic but of his friends. He saw "their faith". Is this what intercessory prayer is about?

So he forgives the man's sins.

What gives here? Isn't healing the big thing, isn't this the reason the paralytic was brought? Sure he is forgiven but he's still helplessly paralysed.

Is this how God answers prayer? He gives what is needed, not what is asked for. What is more important from God's perspective, health or holiness?

The scribes are there, "reasoning in their hearts". And doing a good job of it. Their reasoning goes like this:

1. Only God can forgive sins


2. Jesus has just forgiven this man's sins


3. Therefore Jesus is claiming to be God


4. But anyone can claim to be God - that's blasphemy - a big sin indeed (unless He really is God, which is unlikely)

All perfectly logical and true. They are good thinkers. But also human. They, as locals, probably knew this paralytic and knew what sins he had committed. Maybe they had even told him that his paralysis was a result of his sinfulness. And now they accuse Jesus of sin as well. How often have I been ready to think the worst?

But Jesus knows their thoughts. This is amazing! Can He read minds or is He just a shrewd observer of humanity. In any case He answers the implications of their logic with a great question, the answer of which determines my salvation.
"Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ' Your sins are forgiven you" or to say 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'?"

A "no-brainer": it's easy to SAY either, but it's impossible for a human to actually DO either - only God could heal a paralytic (even modern science has to wait for nature to take its time to heal paralysis - there is no immediate cure, even today).

The easiest to SEE however, is the healing. Forgiveness is invisible. So Jesus answers the scribes' unspoken question by using the visible to prove the invisible and also to prove His own divinity.

"That you may know" - I can be sure.
"that the Son of Man" - what Jesus consistently, and humbly, calls Himself
"has power on earth" - He already has authority in heaven, now He claims it here
"to forgive sins" - proof that He is God, and can meet my true needs
"Arise" and "Immediately he arose..."

This is the part I like.: Jesus has the power to do impossible healing so He can do the bigger impossible - forgive. At least one of the reasons that Jesus heals is so I can believe that He forgives, that He can indeed save, even in this world. My salvation is secure!

Glorify God saying "We never saw the like!