Mark 2:1-12
People around Galilee were getting used to the idea that Jesus had an unusual power to heal. But then he did something that shook up some of them: he actually forgave a man’s sins! With all their knowledge as “teachers of the Law” they still did not recognize who Jesus really was. How could they recognize their Messiah if they did not understand his works? He did not come to hurt and condemn, but to heal and forgive. Does this help you understand Jesus’ attitude towards you?
Jesus Heals a Crippled Man
(See also Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26)
Jesus returned to Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. Such a large crowd gathered that there wasn’t room for them, even in front of the door. Jesus was speaking his message to them when some people came and brought him a paralyzed man being carried by four men. Since they couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof over the place where he was. They dug through it and let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he told the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Now some scribes were sitting there, arguing among themselves, “Why does this man talk this way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
At once, Jesus knew in his spirit what they were saying to themselves. “Why are you arguing about such things among yourselves?” he asked them. “Which is easier: to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. Then he told the paralyzed man,
“I say to you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
The man got up, immediately picked up his mat, and went out in front of all of them. As a result, all of the people were amazed and began to glorify God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Read The Bible In
One Year: Eze. 29-32
Plus Daily Chapter: Is.61
