6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” 12 And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
Message: Forgiveness and Healing
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Let's remember where we are. Jesus is ministering in the Village of Capernaum, which is northern part of Sea of Galilee. Four men were carrying a paralytic man to Jesus, and because of the crowds, they lowered this man through a room and Jesus responded first to the man by saying, "Your sins are forgiven." Well, these are not welcome words to the Jewish scribes that heard of this and that is where we are now in verse 6.
Here, in this passage, is the first time, in a way that Jesus gets more radical with his message, from Mark's perspective. So far he has told people he will preach the gospel of repentance and believe and that will be his primary mission. As he goes forth he also heals people. He heals one and the news quickly spreads for more to be healed. But upon speaking to the lowered paralytic he first focuses on the faith of his friends remarking that because of their faith and strong conviction the paralytic will be healed.
And now scribes, I suppose listening in, are focused on the words that Jesus is going to forgive this man's sins. While others simply accepted his words, the scribes are hearing something different and so they are reasoning in their hearts. The scribes custom is to speak on behalf of someone else's authority, namely the rabbi's. But this man was not a rabbi although he spoke like one. Whereby the rabbi reasoned through what God was saying, this man was speaking as if he had the same authority of God - able to forgive sins.
And now scribes, I suppose listening in, are focused on the words that Jesus is going to forgive this man's sins. While others simply accepted his words, the scribes are hearing something different and so they are reasoning in their hearts. The scribes custom is to speak on behalf of someone else's authority, namely the rabbi's. But this man was not a rabbi although he spoke like one. Whereby the rabbi reasoned through what God was saying, this man was speaking as if he had the same authority of God - able to forgive sins.
So Jesus poses a question to them - Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? So what is Jesus's point here? He seems to be saying, which is easier -- or which is harder -- be healed or your sins are forgiven?
Jesus first addresses his heart. Jesus dealt first with the most important problem in his life - the need for forgiveness. I am thinking if you and I witnessed this we would be amazed at the healing, but Jesus wants us to see first -- forgiveness. This is the message that John preached prior to Jesus coming on the scene - forgiveness of sins. And after forgiveness he heals the paralytic, to which the people exclaimed “We have never seen anything like this.” The people appear to marvel at the healing, and yet "forgiveness" is what surprised the scribes the most.
Jesus is saying that what is most important in this man's life is having his sins forgiven. I think he is saying that the man's real need is to have his sins be forgiven. This is the authority he came to earth to do - forgive sins. This is the message John focused on preparing his way - forgive sins. And this is what this man needs more than anything else, for the healing of paralysis is temporary, only for this life, but the forgiveness of sins will last for eternity. The scribes were making the assertion that Jesus was blaspheming God, doing something that only God can do.
Promise: Forgiveness is our greatest need. Disease, depression, sorrow, poverty, injustice, and all other ills are true needs; ultimately, however, all these ills exist because sin has corrupted creation. Not all of our problems are caused by our specific sins, but all of them are due to the fact that we live in a fallen world and suffer from sin’s corruption. If we are not saved from our sins, any fix to these problems is temporary and hell awaits us.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for always getting to heart of the matter. Thank you Lord for coming to forgive sins. O Lord I pray that people everywhere will embrace this and realize that this is our greatest need, not simply for a better temporary life, but for a better eternity. Forgiveness is the key. Bring this understanding to people everywhere.
Jesus is saying that what is most important in this man's life is having his sins forgiven. I think he is saying that the man's real need is to have his sins be forgiven. This is the authority he came to earth to do - forgive sins. This is the message John focused on preparing his way - forgive sins. And this is what this man needs more than anything else, for the healing of paralysis is temporary, only for this life, but the forgiveness of sins will last for eternity. The scribes were making the assertion that Jesus was blaspheming God, doing something that only God can do.
Promise: Forgiveness is our greatest need. Disease, depression, sorrow, poverty, injustice, and all other ills are true needs; ultimately, however, all these ills exist because sin has corrupted creation. Not all of our problems are caused by our specific sins, but all of them are due to the fact that we live in a fallen world and suffer from sin’s corruption. If we are not saved from our sins, any fix to these problems is temporary and hell awaits us.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for always getting to heart of the matter. Thank you Lord for coming to forgive sins. O Lord I pray that people everywhere will embrace this and realize that this is our greatest need, not simply for a better temporary life, but for a better eternity. Forgiveness is the key. Bring this understanding to people everywhere.
Question -- My guess is I might be more marveled by someone getting healed from being paralyzed than someone telling that man his sins were forgiven. Probably because I can see healing and not forgiven sins, but Jesus wants us to be amazed at forgiveness more. How do we change our thinking so that forgiveness is a bigger deal to us?
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