Healing the Paralytic

Mark 2:1-12

Four friends tore open a roof because the door wasn't an option.

Jesus is teaching in a packed house in Capernaum — so packed that no one else can get in. Four men arrive carrying their paralyzed friend on a mat. They can't reach Jesus through the crowd, so they climb the roof, dig through it, and lower their friend down on his mat right in front of Jesus. Jesus sees their faith — the faith of the friends — and says something no one expects: Son, your sins are forgiven. The religious leaders are outraged: only God can forgive sins. Jesus knows what they're thinking. He asks: Which is easier to say — your sins are forgiven, or get up and walk? Then, so that you may know the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins — he turns to the paralytic — get up, take your mat, and go home. The man stands and walks out in full view of everyone.

• Faith
• Forgiveness
• Healing
• Authority