BEYOND HEALING
Opening Prayer
Jehovah Jireh, thank you for all of the things you are to me. Thank you that my every need is met in you.
Read MARK 2:1–12
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
‘… as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.’1 Meditate on this verse and give thanks.
Think Further
Today’s reading continues Mark’s focus on Jesus’ identity. He has already shown Jesus’ authority in teaching and over evil and now he shows it in his power to forgive.
This story can be difficult to interpret. By linking his ability to forgive sins with his healing of the paralyzed man, Jesus appears to be suggesting that the man’s disability was a result of his sin. However, his teaching elsewhere shows that he did not believe that those suffering from sickness, disability, or misfortune are more sinful than anyone else. For example, John’s gospel records an incident where the disciples asked whether a man was blind because he or his family had done wrong: Jesus responds, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned.’2 The teachers of the law, however, did believe sickness resulted from sin, so Jesus was using their beliefs to box them into a corner. According to their doctrines, Jesus would only be able to heal the paralyzed man by forgiving his sins. As they believed only God could forgive, Jesus was confronting them with his God-given authority by healing the man.
Unfortunately, simplistic beliefs such as those the teachers of the law had about sin and sickness are still around today. In one of her books, Joni Eareckson Tada, who was paralyzed in her teens, describes a difficult encounter with a young Christian.3 His understanding of the story in our passage led him to conclude that Joni remained unhealed because of unconfessed sin and a lack of faith. Fortunately, Joni was able to challenge him. God has worked through her in remarkable ways since her paralysis; her ministry has touched people worldwide, reminding us that God’s power is not restricted to healing. It is also revealed mightily in the lives of those who continue to suffer and find strength in the Lord to keep going.
Apply
If this has raised difficult issues for you, share your thoughts with God and ask for a fresh sense of his love and acceptance.
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, please show me any place in me where I am not accepting the lordship of Jesus. Lead me to repentance and help me to surrender to him completely.
1 Ps 103:12 2 John 9:3 3 Joni Eareckson Tada, A Place of Healing, David C Cook, 2010, p15–17
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