Jesus is Mighty to Save

Mark 2:1-12

Jesus Forgives the Sins of the Paralyzed Man

One day, Jesus went back to Capernaum after travelling around and preaching. The people heard that he had come home (the house could be Jesus’ residence). 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 people. 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.”

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 up your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins……”

Jesus then said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

Hearing this, the paralyzed man 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!”

Lasting Satisfaction Comes from the Forgiveness of Sins

It was not easy for the friends or family of the paralyzed man to bring him to Jesus. They could have travelled a long distance, and upon reaching Jesus’ house, they could not push their way in. In spite of that, they did not complain about the trouble they have to go through.

Steeling themselves, they climbed up onto the roof, took apart the tiles, and lowered the mat together with the paralyzed man on it. Their actions demonstrated their determination to help their friend, and their faith in Jesus. They desired, and believed, that Jesus could heal the paralyzed man. Jesus was deeply moved when he saw their faith and the condition of the paralyzed man.

Strangely, Jesus did not say to the paralyzed man, “Get up, you are healed.” Instead he said, “Your sins are forgiven.” The teachers of the law debated Jesus’ actions in their heart. They accused Jesus of saying blasphemous words, because only God can forgive sins. They did not know that Jesus is really God on earth as man. The sin of sinners is an offense against God, which is also an offense against Jesus; therefore Jesus has the right to forgive sins.

However, God forgives sins by sacrificing his own life– that is, Jesus’ life, through dying on the cross and being punished on behalf of man. That means Jesus did not forgive sins casually; instead, he paid a very high price for it.

Jesus proclaimed to the paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven” because he knew (although the paralyzed man didn’t know) that the primary problem in life was not the suffering that he was going through, but sin. When the Bible talks about sin, it not only involves doing wrong things, but more importantly it means “not acknowledging that God is the Lord of my life”, that is to go against God by severing relationship with God.

Of course, the paralyzed man will be happy after receiving healing, but sooner or later the happiness will fade away. He will still face unfulfillment in other areas, such as sickness and death. The source of a person’s unfulfillment is from deep within the heart, the need for forgiveness of sin from Jesus and a relationship with God. The problem with people is that we distort the deepest desires of the heart and build it on something else other than Jesus. Then we start to think that we are not satisfied because we don’t obtain these external things.

The people who think in this way could face condemnation or sense of guilt when their performance is not up to man’s standard. And people are inclined to compare to higher achievers’ standard not the lower one. Even if when they really achieve the standard, they soon will feel empty and meaningless.

On the other hand, Jesus says, if you accept me as the Lord of your life, your sins will be forgiven and you will find true fulfilment. If you missed the mark in certain areas and disappoint me, I will still forgive you.

Actually, the problem with man is not desire in itself, just like a paralyzed man who wants to walk, an artist who wants to be famous, these things are not wrong. The problem is that we think the fulfilment of our desires will fulfil our ultimate satisfaction and purpose of life. This is a lie/deception from the devil.

Not only do we need someone who can help us achieve our desires and satisfaction,  we, first and foremost, need someone who can help penetrate our self-centeredness, tearing apart our sins that enslave us. This sin distorts our innermost desires, causing us to be separated from God and making things outside God to be ‘gods’.

In short, we need to be forgiven of our sins and build a relationship with God. We do not need a person who does miracles or a genie in a lamp. We need a Saviour to heal our inner shortcomings, fill the emptiness in our soul, and give us true satisfaction and rest.

Jesus had a prophetic ability and knew the dissatisfaction and accusation in the hearts of the teachers of the law. He not only declared that the paralyzed man’s sins were forgiven, he even told him, “Son, get up, take your mat and go home.”

The paralyzed man got up, immediately took up his mat and walked out in full view of them all (v11-12). Through the healing of the paralyzed man, Jesus showed that he not only did not blaspheme God, he actually had the authority to forgive sins. The teachers of the law could not forgive sins, nor could they ask the paralyzed man to walk. Jesus could forgive sins and also ask the paralyzed man to walk.

The mat followed the paralyzed man for many years, witnessing his helpless life. Now that the paralyzed man has the ability to stand, take up the mat and walk, the mat witnessed the new beginning of an abundant life. The power to transform life comes from Jesus’ forgiveness of sins, so that those who are weak may be strong in Christ!

Against All Odds, Must Bring the Paralyzed Man to Jesus

Is it possible for the paralyzed man to be healed after spending many seasons lying on the sickbed? People’ consensus said that paralysis is the result of sin, and it is well deserved. If that is the case, how can we be healed by God?

Now, the paralyzed man’s friends or family worked relentlessly to bring the paralyzed man to the house, to find that it was too crowded for them to meet Jesus.  Isn’t this disaster fated? Why not give up since there are so many obstacles?

No! At this point, they did not give up. They had the innocence of a child, daring to try, innovative and persevered. They wanted to think of a way to overcome their difficulty and ignore the resistance of the crowd. They knew that one failure does not mean they have failed forever! Of course, taking apart the roof and letting down the paralyzed man is a very presumptuous move, it will offend Jesus and the crowd. Will this ingenuity backfire?

The outcome had shown that “not being afraid of trouble, going the extra mile, dare to give something new a try, not afraid of taking risks” is an action of faith that is pleasing to God. The result is that he received healing from Jesus, the forgiveness of sins, and a new life. This is a double happiness!

The paralyzed man’s friends were truly friends indeed. They cherished this paralyzed man and desired for him to be healed, get up and walk. They saw the paralyzed man in need, so they worked tirelessly to help him. Their faith in Jesus was also showed through their actions. Their actions changed the broken and hopeless situation.

Jesus is also our friend indeed. He left his home in heaven, came down to the earth to save sinners. He bled to redeem sinners on the cross. Jesus died and rose again on the third day to rebuild a brand new and glorified body, and whoever that returns to him will be forgiven of their sins, their lives transformed and healed, having access to the eternal home in heaven in the afterlife. Jesus said that He is the way to the Father.

Today, we ask God to increase our faith. Faith is not a personal matter, for it can affect the surroundings. Let us practice our faith through our actions. Our acts of faith will bring revival to the church, our career and family to be blessed and peace to the society.

Let us put to an end our indifference and allow the needy to come in, including new friends or seekers. Let us be a real friend to them. Ask God to give us a compassionate heart to help them whenever we see them in need, so that they can get up and walk, and be disciples of the Lord.

The forgiveness of sins and the healing of the lame will happen when we take the next step forward. A true friend is someone who is not afraid of taking the trouble, not afraid of taking risks, and has the courage to take the step forward. We will have victory when we depend on the One who gives us strength. When Lord Jesus sees our actions, He will be pleased and will grant us our requests.

We ask God for wisdom, for visions and guidance to help us have the creativity to overcome difficulties. We should not have faith without works. Do not only say “I will pray for you.” Pray with them. Let us help our brothers and sisters generously; spreading the gospel enthusiastically, bringing people to church; participate in serving and mission; attending Bible study classes and so on……

Ask yourself these questions: Whose roof are you climbing today? What obstacles are you taking apart? Which paralyzed man are you letting down to Jesus’ feet?