A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12
Five Types of People in this Passage and Story:
The Four Men Who Carried a Paralytic to Jesus: selfless men looking to help someone they deeply cared for. They had a desire to make an impact in the life of another. They had a desire to see a friend healed of his afflictions and recognized Jesus as the solution for that healing.
The Paralyzed Man: a man looking for healing who recognized Jesus as the solution for that healing.
The Scribes: the religious leaders who were educated, arrogant, legalistic, and in most cases, had a critical spirit.
Observers: spectators who may or may not believe and/or trust in Jesus.
True Seekers: those who wanted to know and truly follow Jesus, recognizing Jesus for who he is.
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. Mark 2:1
Capernaum was the home of Simon Peter. This city was Jesus’ base of operations in his Galilean ministry. It was a large city on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus returns home from His time of preaching and ministry throughout Galilee to Capernaum, which is about 20 miles northeast of Nazareth.
They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Mark 2:2
Picture the scene: people had heard about all the miracles Jesus was performing. They gathered came from different backgrounds, had different needs, and were intrigued to see and hear Jesus. There were so many gathered that people were spilling out the front door.
Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Mark 2:3
We do not know how far they had to carry the man, but it could not have been an easy task. We do not know much about the four men that came carrying the paralytic. We do not know their names, their background or their motives. It is safe to say they were not looking for recognition and they were doing it for the right reason. They were carrying someone that typically would not have many friends, if any at all. In that day you did not associate with someone that was paralyzed, someone that was an outcast or by association you could become an outcast as well.
We know they were caring a man that was in desperate need, searching for healing and you and I know they came to the right place, the right person, Jesus the ultimate healer!
When we serve others what is our motivation?
Are we looking to get recognition for ourselves, for others to take notice we are doing a good thing?
Are we willing to go to the down and out, the ones that are not easy to reach, those that are not easy to love, those that are in desperate need for Hope, the same hope and healing we have received from Jesus Christ?
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. Mark 2:4
The 4 friends of the paralytic were willing to go to the extreme to get their fiend help, hope and ultimately healing.
What are some extremes are we willing to go to help others hear the life-changing message?
Are we willing to go to the brokenhearted, those that are in need physically, but more importantly spiritually?
Is it only when it is convenient or it does not cost us much time, commitment or sacrifice?
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5
Mark’s Gospel is filled with miracles of healing and exorcisms. This is the only place where a person’s sin is forgiven. Some may take it that Mark views forgiveness as a lesser priority than healing.
However, Jesus was claiming authority to forgive as well as heal. Mark is attesting to Jesus’ identity as God.
Without this authority to forgive, the miracles of healing and exorcisms are not as significant. Prophets were often said to heal, but only God could forgive.
In verse 5, whose faith did Jesus recognize?
It’s interesting Jesus states “when he saw their faith”. It was obvious the paralyzed man had faith that Jesus could heal him, but Jesus saw their faith; this included the men carrying the mat. The paralyzed man had to humble himself, willing to recognize his need and not worry about what anyone else would think.
What does it take to have that kind of faith, both for the ones carrying the paralytic and the paralytic?
Let us remember there is no one beyond being reconciled to the Lord.
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mark 2:6-7
By claiming to forgive sins, Jesus was claiming equality with God. Unless he spoke the truth, he was speaking blasphemy.
We know unbelievers will be critical, and at some point we have all experienced unbelievers being critical of our faith in Christ, but it should not be that way in the Church. It is easy to be critical when we hear the Lord is doing a supernatural work in other people or in other churches. Let us quit focusing on the negative of broken people and remember we all have been broken as well and look to the one where all things are possible.
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Mark 2: 8-11
Even though the man came for physical healing, Jesus’ first concern was his spiritual condition.
The question, which is easier, was a difficult question for them to answer. On the surface, simply to mutter the words was as easy in one case as in the other. But to accomplish the actions of either, both were equally difficult. Further complicating the matter was the authority that Jesus claimed. If Jesus could perform the bodily miracle, he was claiming authority to perform the spiritual one as well. In that case, the scribes had no other option than to worship him as God and that was something they were not ready to do. Then, proving that he cared for the entire man—body and spirit.
In verse 11 Jesus tells the man to get up, take your mat and go home. Why did Jesus tell the man to take his mat?
It seems it would make more sense to leave mat because that is in the past, he has been made new, and to leave the past in the past. To “Take your mat” implies hes remember the past as a testimony, but does not to live in the past. In other words, it is a reminder of the life we had before Christ, where we were and where HE has brought us.
When was the last time you shared your story…more importantly His story of redemption?
He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:12a
The man verified that Jesus did indeed have authority to forgive sins by walking out of the gathered assembly, with his mat in hand. As in Mark 1:22, Mark reports the people were amazed! They had never seen anything like this. Jesus’ inherent authority stood in sharp contrast to the borrowed authority of the scribes.
Do others see in us one who has been healed by the King?
Do the people around us see something that is different, something that makes them want what we have?
Do people stand amazed?
Five Types of People in this Passage and Story:
The Four Men Who Carried a Paralytic to Jesus
The Paralyzed Man
The Scribes
Observers
True Seekers
Which people group do we fit into? If we most relate to 3, the scribes and or 4, the observers, we need to take a hard look at why. We need the Spirit of the Lord to do a supernatural work in our hearts, to lead us to repentance and authentic transformation that leads to action.
Are we missional-minded enough to recognize people around us who are crippled without Jesus Christ?
Are we willing to go to whatever extent we need to for people to experience the same hope we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?