Mark 2:1-12

You may be familiar with the story. Jesus is in a little house, crowds are packed into the place like sardines. Outside the building a massive crowd gathers around like a swarm. They are all there to see one Guy. At this point, Jesus has become very popular in Capernaum. The primary miracles he performed were deliverance of evil spirits, and healing. But something was about to happen that gives us a clue as to what the ‘true’ purpose of what God’s visit to the earth was all about.

All of a sudden, in the middle of Jesus’ talk, a noise is heard from above, and the people look up to see daylight streaming in through the roof all of a sudden. Four men, unable to enter throught the door, had taken some very bold initiative, and climbed on to the roof, and have started removing the very tiles, so as to gain access into this house where Jesus is. Their goal? To get at Christ, not so much for themselves, but for thier ‘friend’. You see, their friend is paralyzed. Most likely, completely paralyzed to the point that he can only be transported wherever he needs to go, on some sort of ‘cot’. The story in Mark paints the picture of these four men lowering thier friend through the hole in the roof somehow, and are able to plop him right down in front of Jesus.

People stare in anticipation, and in wonder. Some probably looked on with shock and animosity towards these bold intruders. Nonetheless, Jesus does something next that begins to show an outline of the vision of His ministry.

Verse 5 says: “And seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”

The religious leaders who were standing nearby almost choked as they heard Chrsit utter these words. They thought to themselves: “Who can forgive sins but God? This man is a blashpemer!”

The story goes on: “Jesus knew what they were discussing among thmselves, so he said to them, “Why do you think this is blasphemy? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven or get up and walk?” I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, take your mat, and go home, because you are healed!”

Part of me gets excited here becuase Jesus gets an opportunity to show off His super powers to the religious leaders and really heap some coals on their head. But, the real message He is trying to send is this: Jesus can, and will forgive sins! And that out of all the other miracles He performed (and still performs), there is not one that can compare to the miracle of salvation! The cleansing of a soul, the remission of sins!

So rest in that today, God can do many miracles for us..and He is willing to do them. But, are you as willing as the four men in this story? Would you be as bold and risky as to clmb onto a roof, and even dare to be exposed to persecution, just to gain access to God?

READER PLEASE NOTE: out of all my posts, this one has the most recorded traffic!I want to thank you for reading this,and I also want to invite you to please leave a comment or let me know if you used any of this for a message, or if it encouraged you in some way..Bless you!!

Tags: faith, forgiveness, Jesus, Jesus heals the paralytic, Mark 2:1-12, miracles, New testament, salvation, the gospel of MArk, Yeshua