Paralyzer

Mark 2:1–5 (NASB 95)

The Paralytic Healed

1 When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. 4 Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. 5 And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Examine / Explain

During some preaching in Capernaum, a paralytic man was brought on a mat to Jesus. Due to the crowds, the men made their way to the top of the home and dug a hole through the roof to get the man lowered to Jesus. After Jesus saw their faith, the first thing he said was, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

 How do I apply this to my life?

I want to see this from the paralytic man’s perspective. From his perspective, he has heard of a man who could heal the lame. In absolute desperation, he and four other people manage to get on the roof of where Jesus is preaching. Getting the dead weight up to another floor is not easy. Where was the paralytic’s mind? Did he wonder if Jesus would accept him enough to heal him? What in his past was racing through his mind as he entered His presence? All the failures of not walking. All the rejection from others for not being normal? Was he worried that his past sins were the cause of disablement? And Jesus knowing the right thing to say always starts with “Son.” Do you think the paralytic man broke down crying in that instant? He was called a son. Had his parents abandoned him? He felt worthless and unlovable, and yet this man who could heal people called him son. Then, “your sins are forgiven.” Jesus doesn’t even address the obvious of the man can’t walk. He locks in on the heart of the man. “Son, your sins are forgiven.” The paralytic is given significance and grace in one sentence. Something that he probably had not heard for a long time. How does this play out in my life? Am I more concerned with the heart of a man than his circumstances? Do the circumstances matter when our hearts are out of place? We can beg God for better circumstances and change what is going on in our lives and even in the lives of others, but what is the state of the heart? Focus on the heart first and then the circumstances. If a man knows that he is significant, heard, and valued, he has hope well inside of him. And with that hope, he is able to withstand the trials of this world better than being crushed, alone, and isolated.

What is my response?

Father, I want to do this better! I want to turn my attention to the hearts of men. As long as I am on this earth, I want to stir the souls of men. To draw closer to you. To find what freedom is. Help me let other men know that they are not alone. That they are valued and we need them. We need them to pursue You with everything that they have. Amen