Our Goal is to be in God's Mission
Mark 2:1-11
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
“But,” Jesus said, speaking to the teachers of the law, “I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – and then healed the man.
~ Mark 2:10 adapted
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
Pondering Point
Read the entire account concerning this disabled man in Mark 2 (maybe Matthew 9:1-8’s version (below) also).
When considering God's mission, this healing and forgiveness perspective fits comfortably in the mindset of life-long Lutherans. Forgiveness of sin is central even in a miraculous, crowd-pleasing event. People are awed by the healing of an external problem, but Jesus is focused on healing the internal problem. But don’t limit this story to the forgiveness of a previously lame man. It is also about forgiveness for those watching Jesus exercise His authority also: “But,” Jesus said, speaking to the teachers of the law “I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – and then healed the man, showing His authority over both physical and spiritual maladies. Even the teachers of the law, like everyone else in the crowd, also need forgiveness in Jesus’ name. But they needed to acknowledge Him as Lord. Like He told another teacher in John 3, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of the Spirit – the Holy Spirit, the One who teaches that Jesus is Lord.
Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Prayer Prompt
Imagine yourself as part of the story: one of the people in the crowd, one of the friends, the lame man or maybe a teacher of the law. Take note of your thoughts and emotions and dialog with God about them in prayer.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 23:1-6
- The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
- He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
- He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
- Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
- Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
Romans 8:31b
If God is for us, who can be against us?
The Promise
Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all —how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Pondering Point
When you reflect back to the dark valleys of your past, envision the stories in such a way as to see how God comforted and led you through to the other side.
Journal Prompt:
Sharing Task: take time to share a dark valley moment in your life and how you have come to see God’s presence through that time.
My notes of God’s presence in my dark moments:
