Verse of the Day 1/28
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."
Our Tuesday Men's Bible study is currently going through the book of Mark and we went through this passage this past Tuesday. It is a remarkable passage for a number of reasons and can be discussed from a number of perspectives. You can look at it from the perspective of the paralytic, his friends, the people of this small town and you can look at it from the perspective of the skeptics; in this case the scribes and Pharisees who wanted to destroy Jesus.
A casual reading of today's verses may lead many to think that it would be "easier" for Jesus to say to the man "your sins are forgiven" without giving much thought to who told him that. It was no easy thing. It has everything to do with who Jesus was and that He was the only person who could truly say, your sins are forgiven because He knew the Father; He knew the Father's plan; and He knew the price that would have to be paid for this man's forgiveness. Jesus would pay for it with His own life; His death on the cross. The payment would be proven by His resurrection which would prove that His statements are true and that He had the power over death and that only He could offer eternal life.
We may not have a problem, physically, as great as the paralytic in today's passage. But all of us have the same core problem, that of sin (Romans 3;23 and 6:23). Jesus showed everyone present that day and for all of us who read this and believe, that He has the power to forgive sins as well as the power to heal.
Take some time and try to put yourself in this story from several different perspectives. Are you the one who would bring someone to Jesus for healing, that would do whatever it takes to get him to this point, for forgiveness? Are you the one who needs healing and forgiveness? Are you a by-stander, blown away by what you just saw/read? Are we williing to admit what our greatest need is?
The paralytic was told to take us his bed and go home. What would that situation have looked like? Think of the changed life, the joy, think of every one that they would tell about the love and power of Jesus. For the rest of his life, I'm sure that Jesus name was very dear to that man.
Blessings,
Mike
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
2 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!"
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