Mark 2 - The Paralytic Man

What does this story teach us?

2.1 Jesus was in the house. Whose house? Was it Peter's house? Jesus was residing in Capernaum.

2.2 We notice that He preached the word to them. Our Lord always gave priority to the word of God.
2.2 It was a good crowd. They gathered to hear the word. [Today you would find huge crowds gathered not to hear the word, but to see miracles. And signs and wonders.]

2.3 The paralytic was carried by four men; in toto they were five. Five, in the Bible, speaks of grace.

2.4 They uncovered the roof. They must have done it very carefully, because Jesus was standing right down below them in that room. It must have taken much time, because they had to make a hole large enough to let down the bed [pallet] in which the paralytic lay. [The owner of the house allowed them to make a hole in the roof and did not protest, considering the plight of the paralytic man.]

2.5 Jesus saw their faith. Not just the faith of the four men, but the faith of all five. It was a group effort.
2.5 Jesus gave priority to the spiritual condition of man. 'Son, your sins are forgiven you.' Perhaps, He knew what was going on in the man's heart. The man longed for spiritual healing, while his friends might have sought a physical cure. Our Lord met the primary need of the heart. He went to the root of the matter. There is nothing greater than the forgiveness of sins. That is the first and foremost aspect of redemption, Eph 1.7

2.6,7 The scribes were sitting there. They were reasoning in their hearts. They had Bible knowledge; they knew the Scriptures. No one can forgive sins, but God alone. How can this man utter such words? He is blaspheming God. This is what they reasoned in their minds.

2.8 Jesus perceived in his spirit. Jesus lived by the Spirit. He was led by the Spirit. He asked, 'Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?

2.9 'You might be thinking that it is easy to say, Your sins are forgiven. You might think it is impossible to heal this man physically. You want a sign? I will give you a sign. I am the Redeemer, not only of the spirit, but also of the body.' God of our spirits is God of our bodies also.

2.10 Those are words of authority. He said, Arise. Take up your bed. Go to your house.

2.11 The man arose, took up his bed, and went out. He didn't stay; he left for home. So that his own people could witness the dramatic change that had taken place in him. With what joy he went out! He went out praising God!

Three times we notice the word 'immediately'. The Lord is seen as a Man of action, the One who responds immediately to our needs. He forgives our sins; He heals our bodies also. He is the God of spirit, soul and body. The God of our salvation.

[This has to be further updated. As we keep meditating on God's Word and preaching it, God reveals further light on the subject. September 2005.]