Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Mark 2:1–12 CSB

1 When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them. 3 They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: 7 “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Right away Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic— 11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.” 12 Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

I. Jesus Prioritizes The Word

Mark 2:1–2 CSB

1 When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them.

II. Two types of people in the crowd

A. Listeners - were there to hear Jesus words and learn

B. Criticizers(religious) - were only there to elevate themselves by attempting to find fault with Jesus.

Mark 2:6 CSB

6 But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts:

III.There were Two types of healing

A. Spiritual(invisible)

Mark 2:4–5 CSB

4 Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

This proclamation by Christ that he could forgive sins was unverifiable by the religious leaders. What proof did they have that this man’s sin was actually forgiven? In came the physical healing.

B. Physical(visible)

Mark 2:10–11 CSB

10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic— 11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”

Jesus gave the religious leaders and the audience watching the physical proof. If by his word he could heal the physical than there was no reason to doubt that by his word he could heal the spiritual by forgiving this mans sin.

IV. There Were Two Reasons for the healing.

A. So Christ might be glorified and his identity revealed.

B. Because He cares

VI. There Were Two Types of Reactions.

A. Anger, disbelief

Mark 2:6–7 CSB

6 But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: 7 “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

B. Amazement, Praise, and Glorifying God.

Mark 2:12 CSB

12 Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”