What Jesus Did : Mark 2:8-11 - Blasphemy? I Think Not!
by Phil Ware
Blasphemy? I Think Not! - Mark 2:8-11
Jesus knew that these teachers of the law were thinking those things about him. So Jesus said to them, "Why do you have these questions in your minds? The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. But how can I prove this to you? Maybe you are thinking it was easy for me to say to the crippled man, 'Your sins are forgiven.' {No one could see if it really happened.} But what if I say to the man, 'Stand up. Take your bed and walk'? Then you will be able to see if I really have this power or not." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, stand up. Take your mat and go home." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Jesus heals people for many different reasons and under many different circumstances. The bottom line is this: Jesus heals folks because he loves them and wants to bring them to God. In this instance, however, Jesus is moved by two additional things. First, he sees the faith of this man's friends and he is touched by their concern. Second, he is frustrated with the cynicism and opposition from those who are present only to criticize him. They doubt his authority, so he demonstrates it: he heals the man! Then he emphasizes that the miracle he has done shows he has the authority to forgive sins. The real challenge for you and me is to recognize that Jesus' authority doesn't extend just to his power to teach and command, but also to heal, mend, help, forgive, and bless.
Today's Prayer
Holy and Almighty LORD of the ages, thank you that your authority has been powerfully demonstrated in Jesus. Help me open my heart to him fully and to not only respond with obedience to Jesus' commands, but to also let him in to nurture and bless. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
A few days later, Jesus came back to Capernaum. The news spread that Jesus was back home. Many, many people gathered to hear Jesus speak. The house was full. There was no place to stand, not even outside the door. Jesus was teaching these people. Some people brought a paralyzed (crippled) man to Jesus. Four men were carrying the paralyzed man. But they could not bring the man to Jesus because the house was full of people. So the men went to the roof above Jesus and made a hole in the roof. Then they lowered the mat with the paralyzed man on it. Jesus saw that these men had much faith. So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Young man, your sins are forgiven." Some of the teachers of the law were sitting there. They saw what Jesus did, and they said to themselves, "Why does this man say things like that? He is saying things that are against God. Only God can forgive sins." Jesus knew that these teachers of the law were thinking those things about him. So Jesus said to them, "Why do you have these questions in your minds? The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. But how can I prove this to you? Maybe you are thinking it was easy for me to say to the crippled man, 'Your sins are forgiven.' {No one could see if it really happened.} But what if I say to the man, 'Stand up. Take your bed and walk'? Then you will be able to see if I really have this power or not." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, stand up. Take your mat and go home." The paralyzed man stood up. He took his mat and walked out of the room. All the people could see him. The people were amazed and praised God. They said, "This is the most amazing thing we have ever seen!"-- Mark 2:1-12 (ERV)
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/mark/0202-wjd.html
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