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Mark - Who is Christ?
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to MARK
PART 3 - The Conflict Between Jesus and the Jewish Leaders (Mark 2:1 - 3:6)

1. Jesus Heals a Paralytic and Forgives Him His Sins (Mark 2:1-12)


MARK 2:1-12
1 When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. 2 Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. 3 Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. 4 When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. 5 Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and 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 tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.” 12 He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Wherever the power of God is seen to flow out, men gather in a crowd, for they are thirsty for the refreshing power of God, which gives life in the midst of death. Jesus preached the gospel in the power of his Father, and many came to hear him.

A man who had suffered paralysis for long years, lived in Capernaum. He was unable to come on foot to Jesus. His family told him about the Savior, his kind words, and wonderful power. Therefore, the suffering man believed in the power of Christ and longed to see him. He asked four of his friends to carry him to Jesus. What a blessed sight, to see four friends thus carrying their needy friend to the Savior! Did you ever carry a suffering man to the great Helper through your prayer?

When they could not get to Jesus because of the crowded people around him, they opened a large hole in the ceiling, and they the paralytic down with ropes in the midst of the crowded group around Jesus. Jesus understood why the four friends had done this, and their common faith. He loved their courage, and said to the paralytic with his divine power: “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

This statement fell as a thunderbolt on the crowds, and entered the heart of the sick man, who had expected the healing of his bodily infirmity, but received forgiveness instead. He probably sensed that sin is the underlying cause of all pains and sicknesses of man. Jesus delivered him from the human inherited bonds, and called him his son, for whoever believes in Christ becomes a child of God. Do you recognize Christ’s forgiveness of your sins? Come to him. He will neither rebuke, nor refuse you, but he will save you immediately, if you come to him in faith.

However, the fanatic teachers of religion among the crowd were shocked at his assuming a right that belongs to God alone – the right to forgive sins. They flared up and became frightened, thinking in their hearts: “He blasphemed. None can forgive sins but God alone.”

Christ, who searched the heart and knew what was in man, reproached them for their wrong assumption, and showed them that he is eternal God, Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter, who has the right to forgive at all times. He commanded the paralytic to arise, take up his bed, and go to his house. He did not demand from the poor man many prayers and repentance with confession beforehand, but spoke to him with authority and said: “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go your way to your house.”

He who speaks using “I” is the Lord himself, who said: “I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me.” He spoke this word several times during his stay with us in the world: “I am the Light of the word.” “I am the Bread of life.” “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” And when he was arrested and asked about his name, he answered: “I am He” that everyone might recognize that God himself was present among them in his body.

He who loves Jesus, recognizes his nature. But he who loves himself and is strict in law and self-dependence, remains blind in the eyes of his heart. Moreover, he hates him who came from heaven for us, and refuses the love of the Almighty.

PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, we worship you for you are true God from true God. You forgave our sins, and untied our bonds. We rejoice because you are the Savior who delivers from all troubles, and beg you to save our friends whom we carry to you in our prayers. O Lord, have mercy on us and on everyone who asks forgiveness today. Amen.

QUESTION:

  1. How did Jesus show his power to forgive sins?

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