Following after Jesus #45

 

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But 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, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Mark, again speaking from the perspective of Peter's eyewitness testimony, says that after this first round of visits throughout Galilee Jesus returned to his headquarters in Capernaum, probably again from the home of Peter and Andrew. He picks right up where He left off, with a line out the door, where people came to hear Him preach and hope for healing.  Here we see that the faith of a few good friends can be very powerful in one's life.  They did everything they could to bring this man to Jesus. Are you that kind of friend? Do you do everything you can to clear the way for people to come to Christ? Once again we see that Jesus knew what was on people's minds and in their hearts. He knew this man was looking to Him as much for his spiritual need as his physical one, and He also knew that the scribes were questioning His credentials.  So Jesus does a double miracle: He heals the man's paralysis and forgives the man's sins. He is in the same business today, with the same priority: spiritual needs first, and for the sake of doubters, some great acts of healing, providing, and changing others, just so we know, He is God's Son indeed.