The Paralytic and his Friends
Mark 2:1-12
For those raised with stories of Jesus, the healing of the paralytic is not new. Yet there is so much to unpack in this familiar story. The miracle narrative is not supposed to be an historical detailed account. There are numerous problems. Why are Jesus' supporters outside the house and his critics inside? Would Jesus really just keep on teaching while the dust and debris were falling on him and the crowd? And yet again, Mark gives us a glimpse into the power of Jesus as God.
As Jesus taught in a home, similar to the house churches used by Mark's audience, crowds had now gathered to hear his teachings and watch him perform miracles. It is apparent that Jesus' ministry is growing while at the same time the Messianic secret (partly the idea that Jesus is in fact God) is still being kept quiet.
Forgiveness and Faith
We are introduced to five individuals, the paralytic and his four friends who are collectively know as "his friends." These people want Jesus to heal their friend. They don't know who Jesus is, but they do know, or at least have heard, that he has able to heal. Since they can't get their friend to Jesus, they climb to the roof of the house and begin digging away at it. As a side note, here is a simple example of where each gospel writer shapes a story to fit his audience. Whereas the roof in Mark is dug through (presumably made of mud and sticks), Luke's gospel articulates that the men undue the roof tiles, which would be a more common roof style for Luke's more urban audience (Luke 5:17-26).
I wonder what the it looked like when Jesus' eyes met the eyes of the friends peering through the new hole in the roof? I wonder what the owner of the house was thinking? The men lower their paralytic friend at the feet of Jesus.
I'm struck by the interaction between Jesus and the paralytic. What is the relationship between faith and forgiveness? While there is correlation in other stories, in these verses there appears to be none. When the man is lowered, Jesus looks at him and tells him that his sins are forgiven. But the man hasn't hasn't asked for forgiveness has he? Nor has he repented of any sins. Jesus does not see his faith but sees the faith of his friends. It says, "When [Jesus] saw their faith." The one whose faith we don't read about is forgiven, and the ones who have faith do not have their sins forgiven.
Furthermore, it appears obvious that the friends did not lower their paralytic friend in order to be forgiven but rather to be healed. I wonder what they thought as Jesus forgave their friend? "That's nice and all, but that's not why we came."
As is often the case, Jesus uses this opportunity to teach. While some of the teachers more hostile to Jesus accuse him of blasphemy, a punishment that could be punishable by death, Jesus continues to reveal more about himself to his followers.
"Which is easier" to tell someone that their sins are forgiven or to heal? In reality, forgiving sins is harder in Judaism, as it is only possible for God. And yet physical healing appears more difficult since it requires empirical evidence of a change taking place. You can fake forgive, but you cannot fake making a paralytic walk.
From Death to Life
Jesus heals the man inside and out. I'm sure many were amazed at this, while the opposition remains skeptical or even angry. They are not upset that the man has his sins forgiven. Judaism is a religion of grace. But who does this Jesus think that he is? Jesus knows exactly what he is doing. Jesus is helping those around him begin to realize his true identity. Mark includes the story not because it is fun or cute or even amazing. But Mark's marginalized audience gets to hear once again that Jesus is in fact God.
One final thought is the great imagery that is expressed in this miracle story. More than just a man who is forgiven in healed, this story is meant to point to a greater reality for Mark's audience. The man descends in front of Jesus. In some ways this lowering could represent death. Jesus comes and raises the man who runs away to new life.
For Mark's readers facing persecution, even death in extreme cases, it is a welcome reminder that Jesus is God and has the ability to raise all who die to new life through the forgiveness of sin.
Questions for Thought
1. What benefits have you experienced by being part of a community of faith? Has their faith ever carried you?
2. Have you ever asked something from God only to receive something else, maybe even something you didn't want? What was the result?
3. While this might be new, what does it mean to you that Jesus takes those who descend even to death and raises them to new life? How have you experienced that hope?
For those raised with stories of Jesus, the healing of the paralytic is not new. Yet there is so much to unpack in this familiar story. The miracle narrative is not supposed to be an historical detailed account. There are numerous problems. Why are Jesus' supporters outside the house and his critics inside? Would Jesus really just keep on teaching while the dust and debris were falling on him and the crowd? And yet again, Mark gives us a glimpse into the power of Jesus as God.
As Jesus taught in a home, similar to the house churches used by Mark's audience, crowds had now gathered to hear his teachings and watch him perform miracles. It is apparent that Jesus' ministry is growing while at the same time the Messianic secret (partly the idea that Jesus is in fact God) is still being kept quiet.
Forgiveness and Faith
We are introduced to five individuals, the paralytic and his four friends who are collectively know as "his friends." These people want Jesus to heal their friend. They don't know who Jesus is, but they do know, or at least have heard, that he has able to heal. Since they can't get their friend to Jesus, they climb to the roof of the house and begin digging away at it. As a side note, here is a simple example of where each gospel writer shapes a story to fit his audience. Whereas the roof in Mark is dug through (presumably made of mud and sticks), Luke's gospel articulates that the men undue the roof tiles, which would be a more common roof style for Luke's more urban audience (Luke 5:17-26).
I wonder what the it looked like when Jesus' eyes met the eyes of the friends peering through the new hole in the roof? I wonder what the owner of the house was thinking? The men lower their paralytic friend at the feet of Jesus.
I'm struck by the interaction between Jesus and the paralytic. What is the relationship between faith and forgiveness? While there is correlation in other stories, in these verses there appears to be none. When the man is lowered, Jesus looks at him and tells him that his sins are forgiven. But the man hasn't hasn't asked for forgiveness has he? Nor has he repented of any sins. Jesus does not see his faith but sees the faith of his friends. It says, "When [Jesus] saw their faith." The one whose faith we don't read about is forgiven, and the ones who have faith do not have their sins forgiven.
Furthermore, it appears obvious that the friends did not lower their paralytic friend in order to be forgiven but rather to be healed. I wonder what they thought as Jesus forgave their friend? "That's nice and all, but that's not why we came."
As is often the case, Jesus uses this opportunity to teach. While some of the teachers more hostile to Jesus accuse him of blasphemy, a punishment that could be punishable by death, Jesus continues to reveal more about himself to his followers.
"Which is easier" to tell someone that their sins are forgiven or to heal? In reality, forgiving sins is harder in Judaism, as it is only possible for God. And yet physical healing appears more difficult since it requires empirical evidence of a change taking place. You can fake forgive, but you cannot fake making a paralytic walk.
From Death to Life
Jesus heals the man inside and out. I'm sure many were amazed at this, while the opposition remains skeptical or even angry. They are not upset that the man has his sins forgiven. Judaism is a religion of grace. But who does this Jesus think that he is? Jesus knows exactly what he is doing. Jesus is helping those around him begin to realize his true identity. Mark includes the story not because it is fun or cute or even amazing. But Mark's marginalized audience gets to hear once again that Jesus is in fact God.
One final thought is the great imagery that is expressed in this miracle story. More than just a man who is forgiven in healed, this story is meant to point to a greater reality for Mark's audience. The man descends in front of Jesus. In some ways this lowering could represent death. Jesus comes and raises the man who runs away to new life.
For Mark's readers facing persecution, even death in extreme cases, it is a welcome reminder that Jesus is God and has the ability to raise all who die to new life through the forgiveness of sin.
Questions for Thought
1. What benefits have you experienced by being part of a community of faith? Has their faith ever carried you?
2. Have you ever asked something from God only to receive something else, maybe even something you didn't want? What was the result?
3. While this might be new, what does it mean to you that Jesus takes those who descend even to death and raises them to new life? How have you experienced that hope?
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