Mark 2:1-13
When men and women come back from war, we can see if they are physically wounded. What we do not see is their emotional, relational, and spiritual wounds. Their family and friends see it, but most of us are unaware. Sometimes we see physically wounded warriors return to loving relationships as emotionally and spiritually healthy and go on to live with joy and purpose, while those who return physically whole, struggle relationally, emotionally, and spiritually, resulting in isolation, pain, and sometimes suicide.
When the paralytics four friends lowered him through the roof so he could be near Jesus, we would expect Jesus to heal the most pressing need in His life. And He did. Jesus, seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
When we have physically pressing issues, our greatest desire is for physical healing. Last year, our son became very sick and was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that caused much internal destruction. My wife and I grieved more than we ever had for his physical ailment. As I prayed for his healing, God continued to remind me that his physical healing was not the greatest thing that He wished to do in my son’s life. The greater issue was my son’s relationship with Jesus. That Jesus could bring spiritual wholeness to my son.
If we could get a glimpse of the Kingdom of God, our passions would change. If we could get a glimpse of how God brings eternal healing, we to would seek first a healthy relationship with Jesus (forgiveness) as our driving passion in all circumstances.
Why did the scribes have such a problem with Jesus’ words? This passage introduces us to a section in Mark that goes through 3:6. In this section, Jesus associates with sinners and, according to the Jewish leaders, performs many unlawful acts. The section ends with the Jewish leaders seeking to destroy Jesus.
This man was a paralytic because he was a sinner. He did not deserve to be forgiven. Who was Jesus to offer forgiveness to such a sinner? Jesus could not be from God if He was so reckless with His forgiveness to the unworthy. But Jesus proves that His authority comes from God, validating His view that God desires to forgive even the greatest of sinners. Jesus proves that He has the power to forgive sins by healing the man physically.
Last year, not only did my son wrestle with Crohn’s disease, but also my sister died after a 2-year battle with cancer at age 45. God’s power to forgive and heal us spiritually was evident over her two-year battle. My sister, my parents, and I all rested in the fact that Jesus had already healed my sister spiritually because she put her faith in Jesus as her Savior. Jesus had already provided eternal healing that would last forever. Even at the end of her struggle when she was paralyzed and homebound, we had some great times together. All of us spiritually healthy, eternally secure, loved, and forgiven by Jesus.
When the paralytic was healed and was having dinner that night with the four friends who took him to Jesus, I wonder what they rejoiced about? Surely that he could walk, but how much more did they rejoice in the fact that they were forgiven.
Father, I am forgiven. Thank you.
