Basic Questions

1. Identify as completely as possible the person in need (e.g., age, ethnic origin, religion, gender, social status).
   A paralytic man, carried by 4 friends who were willing to care for him.

2. What was the immediate, obvious need?
   The man was paralytic. The less obvious need was for forgiveness.

3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing?
   The person in need? Others? Jesus?
   How was it expressed?
   The paralytic's four friends took the initiative. They brought the man to Jesus.

4. Describe the actions or process leading to the healing; that is, what was said (e.g., questions, requests, commands) and what was done (e.g., approaching, following, touching, publicly/privately), and by whom? The paralytic's four friends presented him to Jesus. They had to lower him through a hole they made in the roof. Jesus told the paralytic his sins were forgiven. Jesus told the paralytic to "get up, take your mat, and go home". This was a public hearing.

5. Did the person in need or someone else verbally express faith? Non-verbally? Describe how and by whom faith was in involved in this healing.
   The 4 friends had faith that if they brought their friend to Jesus he would be healed.
   The paralytic had faith - he got up and walked when Jesus ordered him to.

6. What were the evidences that the person was healed?
   The paralytic got up and walked.

7. What were the reactions to the healing?
   People were amazed and gave praise to God.
   Jesus showed concern for the man's "wholeness". Forgiveness is just as important as physical illness.

8. What in this narrative led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need?
   Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic's four friends as they brought him to Jesus. They were determined - nothing stopped them.

Digging Deeper
Note: Although Jesus grew up in Nazareth, his home during his ministry apparently was Capernaum where Peter also lived.

1. Mark and Luke portray the men digging a hole in the roof in order to lower their paralytic friend through it to Jesus. Visualize the scene, the noise and activity of the crowd there - men hoisting the man on a mat to the roof, pulling the thatch and clay from the roof with debris falling into the room, attaching ropes to the mat and lowering the man through the opening. In some healing stories Jesus asks for privacy, but here the healings were being accomplished in full view of everyone. How does this instruct you?
   Sometimes Jesus heals in public so that others learn an important truth about Jesus. Here the truth was that Jesus not only can heal a physical illness - He also has the power to forgive sins and heal "hearts".
   The 4 friends didn't let the "crowds" stop them.
   1 John 4:4     You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

2. Why do you think the men took the trouble to carry the man to Jesus? What did they hope for? How did their faith affect Jesus? In what ways can we carry people to Jesus?
   There must have been a strong bond of friendship between the paralytic and his 4 friends.
   The 4 friends were motivated by love - love is not a noun it's a verb.
   The faith of the 4 friends touched Jesus and initiated their friend's healing.
   This story shows that the 4 friends were determined to bring their friend to Jesus. We can do the same thing today by prayer. We can pray not only privately but also publicly.

3. How much faith did the sick man have?
   The sick man had enough faith to get up and walk when Jesus told him. But he couldn't come to Jesus by himself.
   Romans 10:17     Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

4. Was the cause of the paralysis stated or implied? If so how?
   The cause wasn't stated - but it may have had something to do with the paralytic accepting Jesus' forgiveness first.

5. Why do you think Jesus' first words to the paralytic ("palsy" in the KJV) address the forgiveness of sins?
   Jesus can see hearts, He must have known the man needed this. Jesus is concerned with the "whole" person, especially a person's heart. He may have addressed the man's "heart" first. Jesus is the only one who can see a person's heart. It's important to rely upon the Holy Spirit when asking for healing.
   Acts 15:8     God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
   Is forgiveness always necessary before physical healing?
   No - sometimes the Lord heals an unbeliever.
   Is there any evidence that the paralytic was, in fact, forgiven?
   Yes, look at Mark 2:10. Jesus said this to the crowd so that they would know He not only healed the paralytic, He forgave his sins. Both are important for the man's complete healing.
   Was confession beforehand necessary? No.
   When we confess our sins and are granted absolution are we forgiven? Yes.
   Acts 10:42-44     He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
   Acts 13:37-39     But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.
   1 John 1:9     If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness
   Do we feel forgiven?
   Not always. But if we claim God's word - feelings will follow.
   Is the forgiveness manifested in anyway? (Note: the Greek word here for forgiveness is aphientai which literally means "to send away".)
   Here in this story it was linked with the man's healing.
   Sometimes you can see or feel a "lifting" or sending away of guilt after forgiveness occurs.
   Read     Forgiveness: The Power to Heal
   Is there also healing in being forgiven?

6. What do all three gospels say that Jesus perceived the teachers of the law were thinking to themselves?
   Mark 2:6 - Who can forgive sins but God alone?
   What was Jesus' response?
   Mark 2:8-10 - Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins ...
   What do you understand from this controversy between Jesus and the teachers of the law? (Note: It was the accepted teaching in that day that every sickness was caused by sin.) What is Jesus proving in this healing story?
   Jesus proves he not only has authority to heal sickness but also to forgive sins. This also proves He is the Son of God.

7. In v17 Luke says, "And the power (dynamos) of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick." (Also read     Acts 10:38). Did Jesus always have the power to heal? Do you?
   Jesus had the power to heal because he was annointed with the Holy Spirit.
   2 Corinthians 1 20-22     For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

8. How did Jesus express love, counseling or encouragement?
   Jesus was moved by the faith of the four friends that carried the paralytic to him.
   Jesus showed his authority not only to heal illness but also to forgive sins.

9. What lesson(s) have you learned about healing from this account?
   Jesus proves he not only has authority to heal sickness but also to forgive sins.
   We have this same authority today through the Holy Spirit.
   Read     the paralytic "story"     Sometimes people are so "paralyzed" that they can't come to Jesus on their own - the help of a "group" is required. The persistence and determination of a group seeking to bring someone to Jesus can lead to healing.
   The act of asking for forgiveness is healing.
   Jesus made the man "whole" - He not only healed the paralysis He forgave the man�s sins.
   Only Jesus knows what a person needs for complete healing. We must rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance when asking for healing.
   Read     I will not leave you comfortless     Sometimes you must allow God to touch your life through others.