A Miracle with a Message (Mark 2:1-2)
Dennis Allan
The miracle recorded in Mark 2:1-12 teaches a lot about Jesus and his work. A paralytic
was carried to the crowded house where Jesus was preaching. His friends lowered him
through a hole in the roof. The man was seeking a cure of his physical ailment, but Jesus
offered something greater when he said: "Son, your sins are forgiven you" (2:5).
This simple statement sparked a major controversy, and gave Jesus the opportunity to teach
some important truths. Read Mark 2:1-12, and then consider these conclusions:
- The Jews rightly concluded that only God can forgive sins (2:7). No human has the right
to claim to absolve another of guilt.
- Jesus linked his physical miracles to his greater power to cure spiritually. He did not
come to the world to give all men health and wealth, but to offer us salvation from sin
and eternal life. Physical cures, which could be seen, proved his power to heal the
spirit, which could not be seen (2:10-12).
- Jesus, in his words and his actions, claimed to be God. When Jesus forgave sins, he was
claiming to be divine. He also claimed eternal existence, the defining attribute of Deity
(John 8:24,58). Many times, he accepted worship, which he clearly understood only God
could accept (Matthew 4:10; 8:2; 9:18; John 9:38; Revelation 5:5-14).
This same Jesus is still divine. He still has the power to forgive sins and to cure us
of our spiritual diseases. And this same Jesus is still worthy of our worship.
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