Read: Mark 2:1-12 NLT – Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man – When – Bible Gateway
“So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Mark 2:10a NLT
Jesus had become a popular figure with the Jewish people as we saw in last week’s Biblical Insights. This week Jesus becomes a polarizing figure with the Jewish leaders, the teachers of the Law. Jesus finished His first tour through Galilee and returned to Capernaum. Scripture says the news spread quickly that He was home. People of celebrity status find it difficult to return home without a big fanfare or with news leaking out. Jesus was indeed well-known. Remember He was forced to go outside the city to continue His ministry due to the crowds, and He has now returned home with His disciples. Most likely Jesus stayed in Peter’s home while in Capernaum. It would become Jesus’ ministry headquarters. Capernaum was convenient as it was centrally located with direct access to the Sea of Galilee.
It didn’t take long for Peter’s home to be filled with people wanting to see Jesus for healing and to hear Him teach. There was no more room in the house and an overflow crowd was assembling outside reminiscent of today’s concert venues and speaking events of famous people. While Jesus was preaching, four men arrived carrying their paralyzed friend on a mat. There was no way into the house due to the crowd, but they were determined to get their friend to Jesus for his paralytic condition was severe. There was only one thing to do, if they couldn’t get in by going through the door, they would go through the roof.
“They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.” (Mk.2:4 nlt) Palestinian houses of that day had a flat roof that were used for relaxation in the cool of the day and sleeping during hot nights. They had an outside staircase which led up to the roof. The roof was made with a thick layer of clay baked by the sun, then covered with mats and branches across wooden beams. The four men saw their opportunity to help their friend and proceeded up the staircase to the roof.
Once on the roof, they dug a hole through the clay large enough to lower the paralytic down in front of Jesus. Jesus recognized that these men, including the paralytic, had the faith the He could heal the man physically. But Jesus took care of the most pressing need first. The forgiveness of sins for salvation. “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’” (Mk.2:5 nlt) Many Jews believed that one’s illness, especially severe, was because one’s sins. Once Jesus heals the man of his paralysis, which only God can do, they could not deny that He could forgive sins. But the Jewish leaders did just that.
The Jewish leaders thought to themselves Jesus was committing blasphemy, for only God could forgive sins. Jewish theology taught that even the Messiah could not forgive sins, so indeed, Jesus was a blasphemer in their eyes, He was claiming deity. Jesus asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?” (Mk.2:8b-9 nlt) It may be easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven’ but when the paralytic gets up and walks, proof that Jesus healed him, it is proof that Jesus has the power to forgive sins as well.
“Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!’ And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. (Mk.2:10b-12a nlt) The man came into the house through the roof laying on a mat and went out walking through the front door to the amazement of those around. The paralytic was completely healed, which no one could deny. It was another one of Jesus’ instantaneous healings. This miracle healing along with Jesus proving His deity intensified the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. It put the leaders in conflict with Jewish people, for the people “were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this before!’” (Mk.2:12b nlt) A Biblical Insight for us is, ‘preaching the truth about the deity of Jesus Christ is sure to find conflict especially in our day.’ May we continue to be faithful and proclaim Jesus is God the Son. For Jesus said, “So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mk.2:10a nlt)
Word for the Soul 