We read Mark 2 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today. This account in verses 1-12 has always been among my very favorites of the healing miracles that Jesus performed during His earthly ministry!
1 And Jesus having returned to Capernaum, after some days it was rumored about that He was in the house. 2 And so many people gathered together there that there was no longer room [for them], not even around the door; and He was discussing the Word. 3 Then they came, bringing a paralytic to Him, who had been picked up and was being carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get him to a place in front of Jesus because of the throng, they dug through the roof above Him; and when they had scooped out an opening, they let down the [thickly padded] quilt or mat upon which the paralyzed man lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith [their confidence in God through Him], He said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven [you] and put away [that is, the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God]. 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, holding a dialogue with themselves as they questioned in their hearts, 7 Why does this Man talk like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins [remove guilt, remit the penalty, and bestow righteousness instead] except God alone? 8 And at once Jesus, becoming fully aware in His spirit that they thus debated within themselves, said to them, Why do you argue (debate, reason) about all this in your hearts? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralyzed man, Your sins are forgiven and put away, or to say, Rise, take up your sleeping pad or mat, and start walking about [and keep on walking]? 10 But that you may know positively and beyond a doubt that the Son of Man has right and authority and power on earth to forgive sins—He said to the paralyzed man, 11 I say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going on home. 12 And he arose at once and picked up the sleeping pad or mat and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and recognized and praised and thanked God, saying, We have never seen anything like this before!
There were so many people gathered to hear this One that they had heard so much about! In this multitude of people there were some who needed healing, some who wanted to hear His Words of Life, some who came out of curiosity, some who were skeptical, some who wanted to "see the show" (be entertained), and others who came to mock and ridicule. The ones who most impressed Jesus at this particular time were those men who had brought their friend for healing and were so convinced about what Jesus could and would do that they dragged their friend on his mat to the roof of the house where Jesus was staying and proceeded to cut a hole in the roof from which to lower their friend right down in front of Jesus so that He could be healed! NO GREATER LOVE (John 15:13)! These friends risked their own reputations and trespassing in order to see to it that their friend was healed! I LOVE this hunger and thirst for the things of GOD, this no nonsense commitment to receive from JESUS, this unconditional love and loyalty for a friend in need and the results that they received because they DARED to believe! What are YOU willing to lay down on the line to see Godly, supernatural results that give God the Glory and that point people toward HIM? Let's challenge ourselves everyday to see to it that we are holding nothing back from following HIM with everything that is within us! AMEN! THEN we will see results such as these! Here is Hillsong United with "Lost Are Found":
Shalom in Him!
