Consider these questions as you dwell in Mark 2:1-12.

1. How does the story of Jesus healing the paralytic demonstrate his authority both in terms of physical healing and the forgiveness of sins?

2. Why do the scribes question Jesus when he declares the forgiveness of sins, and how does Jesus respond to their skepticism?

3. What is the significance of Jesus performing both the healing of the paralytic and the forgiveness of sins, and how does this reinforce the message of his authority and mission?

Transcript:

As we have seen already in just one chapter of Mark, this book, this gospel, is clarifying and helping to define who this Jesus the Messiah is. We've seen the authority that he has that he's able to heal, that he teaches in a way that the other people do not teach. He teaches with authority. And so we see that Jesus has returned home. He's returned to where he started out this whole ministry at, and people are coming and looking for Him, and what does he do?

 They are coming to get themselves healed. They're looking for something. But what is Jesus doing? He's proclaiming the Word to them. He's proclaiming this gospel that we have seen that he was proclaiming in the first chapter.

 He's continuing to do this. He's continually bringing forth the Word to them. But as he is preaching, we see this famous story. I can remember when I was in Sunday school, we would make a little house and we'd cut the top open and we had a little cop that we could lower down in there. Maybe you had the same experience.

 This is a top Bible story that we know, but it's significant, not just because it's amazing, but because of what it's telling us about Jesus once again. So what does Jesus do when he sees the paralytic? He sees their faith. And what does he say? Son, your sins are forgiven.

 Now imagine that you are the scribes who are gathered there listening to Him teach. You're maybe thinking, okay, this teaching is interesting, but all of a sudden this guy says that he has the authority to forgive sins. They haven't gone to the temple, they haven't offered a sacrifice. Who is this guy? What does he think he's doing?

 That's why they say that he's blaspheming. He's doing what only God can do, as it says. I've highlighted it here. If you're watching a video. Who can forgive sins but God alone?

 Well, here we come to one of our green highlighted words. Immediately, Jesus perceives in his spirit that they're questioning Him in this way. And so he asks them a question which is easier for me to forgive sins or for me to tell this guy who's been paralyzed to get up and walk? Well, it would seem easier to say that the sins are forgiven. That would be easier.

 But Jesus decides to do both. He wants them to know that he has the authority to do this, that the Son of man has come to save people from their sins, and that when he speaks, things happen and he is even able to forgive sins. And he says it right there in verse ten, but that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins. He tells the paralytic, I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home. Get up.

 I want to prove to these guys that I have the authority over all the powers that might constrain things. I have the power over sin. I have the power over disease. And what happens? There's that word again.

 He rose immediately. There's no question here. He didn't lay there and say, you know, feel a little bit of strength coming in. Give me a minute, right? No.

 Mark wants us to understand that the authority of Jesus is absolute, that he truly has authority to not only forgive sins, but the authority to speak over diseases. And so Jesus has authority over all things. And so the people were amazed as we read, right? We never saw anything like this before. They say, well, of course not, because Jesus has authority in a way that they've never understood.

 And they also are able to know that Jesus is delivering a message that has authority. It's not that he has the power. He has a message that matters. And so we should listen to him. Now, as we think about this passage for today, and as we listen to the snow removal equipment outside my window, we need to think about, what does this mean for us?

 Well, ultimately, as we think about this passage, we can say that Jesus is the one who forgives our sins. And so when we think about the difficulties that we have in life, whether they're physical ailments or something like that, it's nothing compared to the problem that we have within us, that problem that we are dead in our trespasses and sins. And so while we may think that these problems that are in front of our faces, the ailments we may have are the biggest problem, ultimately, our biggest problem is our sinfulness. And that's what Jesus came to do. And he has the authority to forgive our sins.

 And when we are in Him, when we have faith, our sins are forgiven. He is faithful, he is just, and he forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. And so may we live in light of that, that important truth that tells us that our sins are forgiven. May that be what motivates us today and every day.