1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.
2 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.
3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
4 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.
5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 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?
9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?
10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”-he said to the paralytic-
11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”
12 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!”
Mark 2:1-12
A few things to consider from Mark 2:
- Who’s your four? We see this young man was unable to get to Jesus, but his 4 friends did for him what he couldn’t do for himself. They got him to Jesus. In the scripture, numbers have significance: 12 is the number of governance, 5 is number of grace, 6 is number of man. Four is the number for creation and completion: there are 4 gospels, the 4 corners of the earth, four seasons- who are your 4 that can get you to Jesus?
- How’s your faith? It’s fascinating, Jesus could “see” the faith of these 4 friends. Can people see your faith? I’m reminded of the story of Charles Blondin. He was a famous tightrope walker decades ago. He was quite the entertainer. He actually walked across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. He also took a wheelbarrow across and just to further impress, he took a small pan, burner, and eggs and cooked an omelet over the Falls. The crowds were in awe. He asked if they believed he could carry a person on his shoulders across the Falls they all cheered, “WE BELIEVE!” However, when asked for any volunteers, there were no takers, but one. His name was Harry Colcord, Charles’ manager. We SAW his FAITH! Do people see your faith in Jesus?
- Who you got? Jesus told the newly healed man, to ‘take up your bed’. Jesus expects this man to do for others what had been done for him. Who are you carrying to the feet of Jesus?