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Jesus Heals a Man
(Matthew 9.1-8; Mark 2.1-12)
17One day some Pharisees and experts in the Law of Moses sat listening to Jesus teach. They had come from every village in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem.
God had given Jesus the power to heal the sick, 18and some people came carrying a man on a mat because he could not walk. They tried to take him inside the house and put him in front of Jesus. 19But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So they went up on the roof, where they removed some tiles and let the mat down in the middle of the room.
20When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.”
21The Pharisees and the experts began arguing, “Jesus must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins.”
22Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you thinking this? 23Is it easier for me to tell this man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk? 24But now you will see that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” Jesus then said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk home.”
25At once the man stood up in front of everyone. He picked up his mat and went home, giving thanks to God. 26Everyone was amazed and praised God. What they saw surprised them, and they said, “We have seen a great miracle today!”
Reflect
Needs surround us. Needs invade us. They can overwhelm us, or they can motivate us to take action. Those with eyes to see perceive not only their own needs, but also those of other needy people around them.
A very needy crippled man is brought to Jesus. Incapable of moving around by himself, he is carried on his mat by friends to a house where Jesus can be found. Creative friends they are, for unable to get to Jesus because of the crowd, they walk up the stairs outside, bring him up on the flat roof, remove some tiles from the roof, and lower him down before Jesus. A surprising sight indeed for the people gathered inside.
Jesus could see the physical need, just like everyone else inside the house, including Pharisees and experts in the Law of Moses. But the Lord perceives a deeper need: “My friend, your sins are forgiven.” Behind the sober physical condition of this crippled man, an even more sober condition is brought to light. He taught with authority and healed people (see Luke 4:36-40), but, more than that, Jesus came to answer a different need, a deeper need, our deepest need.
As Son of Man, Jesus has full authority from the Father to know the hearts and minds, to reach our consciences, and to address our deepest need. As Son of Man, Jesus has “the right to forgive sins here on earth” (Luke 5:24). As Son of Man, Jesus also came “not to be a slave master, but a slave who [gave] his life for the rescue of many people” (Mark 10:45). Through him and his death on the cross, we can receive forgiveness for “all our sins” (Colossians 2:13).
Respond
All-knowing Father, Give me eyes to see beyond physical needs and to perceive myself and others as you see and love us. Help me to see my deepest need and to find the answer in your dear Son. Through Jesus, who gave himself as a sacrifice on my behalf. Amen.
Pierre Constant
Pierre teaches Greek, Hermeneutics and NT Theology at Toronto Baptist Seminary since 2003. Married to Lise, they have four children and live in Gatineau, Québec. Involved in French speaking ministries, he mentors teenagers and young adults, and serves as teaching elder. Pierre has a B.A. in Philosophy from Ottawa University, a M.A. and a Ph.D. from Trinity International University (Deerfield, Illinois). His Master's thesis and doctoral Dissertation were written under the supervision of D. A. Carson. Publications: Survol des Évangiles. Montréal : SEMBEQ, 2012;"The Risen Lord," and "The Ascended Christ." Chapters in A Foundation for Life: A Study of Key Christian Doctrines and their Application, ed. Michael A. G. Haykin. Dundas: Joshuah Press, 2002