Devotional:

“1 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 2:1-12

It is important to note that verse one of this passage says Jesus was at home. We know that Jesus made Capernaum His home at some point early in His ministry. He would go out to teach in different towns and cities for long periods, but Capernaum was where He would return. He was familiar with the people there, and they were familiar with Him.

Jesus was preaching from His home that day, where verse two says that it was packed beyond the front door. This makes me wonder if Jesus ever got any rest when He returned home or if His home was always a revolving door. No wonder Jesus always went to desolate places to be alone with God and gather His strength. I don’t think He had much free time on His hands, even in His own home. It is also important to note that there were Pharisees and scribes in Jesus’s home that day. They were curious about Jesus, to say the least, but they were probably there to hear or see something they could use against Him. The Pharisees hated Jesus because Jesus was always challenging their rules and hypocrisy. They were claiming Jesus as a false prophet at this point.

Because of the masses of people gathered, the friends who brought the paralytic man to Jesus’s house could not get in, Jesus couldn’t even see them. They had to climb on the roof and take it apart to lower the man into the area where Jesus was preaching. First of all, you don’t hear much said about this, but oh my goodness! This man had four amazing friends! These friends were willing to climb to the roof and break a hole in it, which was big enough for a man on a stretcher to come through. This was a lot of work.

Capernaum was a prosperous city and it bordered the sea. So, we know the houses were more upscale, well-constructed and built to withstand harsh storms. This roof was not thatched. It most likely was made of mud and other materials that had been pounded and hardened like cement or being a nicer neighborhood and according to Luke’s account of this story, it could have been constructed of heavy tiles. Either way, those four men had to work hard to make a hole large enough to lower this paralyzed man to Jesus. Not to mention the tools and rope they must have had to find from somewhere and then carry all of that to the roof.

Imagine sitting and listening to Jesus; suddenly, things begin to fall from the ceiling and a huge hole appears and here comes this man on a stretcher. I have no doubt Jesus was fully aware this was happening outside His home because Jesus, being fully God, knew everything. Still, He allowed this to happen for God’s glory to be revealed that day and to proclaim who He was to the people who loved Him and those who criticized Him. And to be quite honest, I don’t think that could have been done quietly. The pounding and debris falling were probably overwhelmingly distracting.

Jesus looked at these four friends and the paralytic man and acknowledged their faith before the physical need in front of Him. And in verse five, it says He saw their faith and then Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” After Jesus says this, the Pharisees and scribes become furious in their hearts and minds, but not out loud. Jesus knows their hearts and the questions inside them and calls them out, saying, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

At this point, Jesus reveals that He can read their hearts and minds, which only God can do. So technically, this proves that Jesus is God. But then He goes on to ask which would have been easier to say; “Your sins are forgiven or take up your bed and walk?” It is obvious that taking up your bed and walking would have been easier to say, because you can see the miracle as it walks away, but you cannot see his sins being forgiven.  And saying something like that was blasphemy because only God could forgive sins. And to admit He could forgive sin was to admit He had divine power and was God. 

Jesus wasn’t limited to healing this man physically. He had the power to heal this man from sin and eternal condemnation. Perhaps the friends didn’t care about that and only wanted to see their friend healed. I mean, that’s what they came for. But most likely, this man had not only suffered for years physically, but he suffered mentally. In this culture, many people believed that any physical disability like paralysis resulted from sin or God’s judgment for the sin. Jesus knew that this man wanted to be free of his sins to walk with a purpose on earth. What would be the point of healing this man’s paralysis without forgiving his sins? He would still be a dead man walking. 

Did Jesus heal this man because of the faith of his friends? Because He had to prove to the scribes that He was the Son of Man? We know Jesus mentioned faith, not works. He didn’t say well, because you worked so hard to get to that roof; your sins are forgiven. No, it was their faith that Jesus acknowledged and their faith that led to healing physically and spiritually.

So, Jesus put it all on the line that day. Either He was a blasphemer and a fraud or He was the Son of Man, God’s divine power here on earth, literally in the flesh. He had no choice but to prove that He was God. Jesus knew this man’s need for salvation was far more important than physical healing. Jesus chose to heal the paralytic physically and spiritually that day to show His divine power. 

Maybe you have been praying for a physical need for years without an answer you’ve been longing for. Sometimes looking beyond our physical needs and digging into a spiritual burden or hurt that we have buried deep within is the actual thing that Jesus is longing to heal us from. Maybe that is the prayer that Jesus is waiting to hear us cry out. Jesus may choose to heal physically and he may not. God’s will, is not ours to question.

The saying “You can’t see the forest for the trees,” comes to mind. Sometimes I think that to see the big picture and understand God’s will for my life, I need to remove the little things I tend to prioritize in my prayers. Maybe God is saying; “Hey, those things aren’t as important to Me. Yes, they seem larger than life to you, but to Me, I have something far greater to show you.”

Ask God to allow you to see beyond all the little trees in your life, so you can see the far greater forest that He has to offer you. Remove the distractions and the little things you so desperately think you need to be happy, healed or a better version of yourself. Allow God to show you the real miracle you need. There is a far greater picture that only God know and He wants you to be a part of that picture. God’s plan, timing and purpose are so much greater than what you could ever imagine for yourself.

Are you willing to go above and beyond to meet the needs of a friend?

Are you praying for the miracle you want to see or the miracle God wants for you?