Good morning. I would like to share the passage of scripture that records an amazing act of healing on the part of Jesus. I know, all of His acts of healing were miraculous, and therefore amazing, but in this passage, we see some things that are special. The passage is Mark 2:1-12.
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 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. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 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. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 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? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 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!”
First of all, we learn that Jesus, perhaps tired from the early weeks of His physical ministry, has come home. Home is no longer in Nazareth with His mother and siblings; home is in Capernaum. Jesus is in His home. Did He find peace and quiet? No. The crowds heard that He was home, and they descended upon Him in droves. Inside and outside, there wasn’t room for another single person. But…there are these four guys…they arrive late, perhaps because they were carrying a friend of theirs on a mat because he was paralyzed. These four have a need and a plan.
Consider, if you will, the patience of Jesus. He is home, probably seeking some moments of peace, quiet, and rest. But no, His home is packed by so many uninvited guests that even the front yard is full. It couldn’t get any worse, but it did. Suddenly, the Lord looks up because there are people taking apart His roof! Now that is rude! Sure, they are doing so in order to drop their paralyzed friend onto Jesus’ lap, but still…taking apart someone’s roof?
Does Jesus yell at them to cut it out and go away? No. He knows what is happening and rather than respond in anger, Jesus responds in compassion. But His compassion is greater, more comprehensive, than anyone could have imagined it would be.
Jesus is struck by the sincerity of their faith and His compassion is extended to meet the paralyzed man’s need: when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Wait a minute…Jesus doesn’t immediately heal the man’s paralysis, He forgives the man’s sins.
Have you ever considered how that moment describes the wants, needs, and expectations that we all have from time to time, and what we bring to God in prayer? How often are we consumed with the physical side of things while ignoring the greater, spiritual need?
The roof-wrecking friends, the paralytic, and everyone else crowded into Jesus’ home expected that Jesus would perform a miracle of healing and allow the man to walk again. I’m not suggesting that Jesus didn’t care about the physical need, He does, and He takes care of it a few minutes later, but first Jesus is taking care of the man’s greater need. His greater need is for spiritual healing, for forgiveness.
Not everyone jammed into Jesus’ house that day were friends. There were also scribes, those “experts in the law” that were always on the lookout for a reason to criticize Jesus, and they heard Jesus’ words of forgiveness and cried “blasphemy!” “Nonsense,” Jesus tells them (my paraphrase) and He asks them “Why do you question these things in your hearts?” Jesus is asking a serious question. Why isn’t their reaction one of pure praise since God’s power is being more fully revealed than they had expected?
Jesus forgives the paralyzed man’s sins, and then He heals his body. First things first.
The once paralyzed man is delighted, picks up his mat and sprints outside to greet his friends. The rest of those gathered (minus the scribes) were amazed.
Jesus is our Lord of the unexpected. He goes beyond our desires and blesses us with what we truly need. So often, that is a matter of spiritual healing while we have been focused, perhaps even distracted, by the physical and material needs of our lives.
Accept all of God’s grace today and give Him praise!
Vern