Mark 2

The story of the paralytic being lowered from the roof into the presence of the Lord and walking out saved and healed has important lessons for us.

So, Jesus entering Capernaum (2:1) reminds me of Jesus entering our world as an infant – Merry Christmas!  And what did He do?  He taught!  He taught the Old Testament, truths about God, things about the kingdom and about His own mission to redeem a people.  He taught with clarity and authority (1:22).  Jesus was the truth about declaring the truth!

He came into a world of religious people [man has eternity in his heart (Ecc. 3:11) thus bent toward worship], many of whom did not think they needed a physician – not thinking they needed to be saved (2:17).  He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Yet in that Capernaum world, as in our world, were those who were in need of a physician.  In Mark 2:5 it takes note of the faith of five being the one “sick” and the four carriers.  I wonder who was first to suggest going to Jesus – the paralytic or one of the four?  Did they have to talk their friend into going to Jesus or did he have to talk them into taking him to Jesus?  Eventually, the five came to agreement that Jesus was the answer and they needed the great Physician.

The four stretcher-bearers remind me of the duty of the true Christians God has left in the world to serve Him in moving the unsaved to salvation.  There are those who are engaged in prayers for the lost (Colossians 4:2-4) and those who verbally proclaim Jesus and His salvation (Romans 10:14).  Then there are those who do deeds of love and sacrifice which show Jesus (Galatians 6:10).  Lastly are those who suffer yet do so differently – in their pain and loss they show a peace, strength, and joy that shows faith in and love for Jesus (I Peter 3:15, 4:3).

Within the five was a passion to get the one to Jesus.  They prepared then picked up the stretcher/bed, and set out for Jesus – maybe near by or maybe a few villages away.  Most likely they found Jesus at Peter’s house (1:29 and 2:1 – “the” house) enveloped by a great crowd.  So, there was a problem – many, many people blocking the way!  What did the five do?  Sit down to wait for an opening?  Yell for entrance?  Push and shove?  Go home to wait for another day?  Give up altogether – after all, they tried!  But if we are passionate enough about someone being touched by Jesus with salvation, restoration (Galatians 6:1), or wellness (James 5:15-16), we press on against all odds.  We do not let the world or our mental excuses impede our effort to take one to Jesus.

So, they went up the stairs on the outside of the house to the roof and proceeded to tear the roof open large enough to lower the paralytic down to Jesus (I wonder where they got the ropes or the clothing to make ropes?).  I think of Jesus and those near Him suffering the shower of debris falling upon them while this is happening.

When the cripple was lowered into the presence of Jesus, Jesus declared that his sins were forgiven.  Wait?  Was that the mission?  Most likely for the one and the four, it was a healing that was desired.  But Jesus was about something else.  Noting the passion of the five to get the one into His presence was a great act of faith and to that act came the declaration of forgiveness (2:5).

While the religious “elites” complained of Jesus, it was likely that the crowd and maybe even the five were somewhat taken aback.  Jesus was a physician and healing all kinds of people (1:26, 31, 39, 42) and that was expected here as well.  But to Jesus, what was the most needed for the man lying on the bed in front of Him?  Salvation!  Not a healing!  For all men – the forgiveness of sins and robed in righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) in order to be acceptable to God is most important – not being healed of cancer, paralysis, an addiction or any other.  Jesus gave us the priority – rightness with God over physical wellness.

Later came the physical healing and the joyful dance back home (2:11), but most critical was his salvation.  Such is true for all who are “sick”.  They need saved by Jesus and with such will come a healing of emotions, mind, and hope.  Being saved will make a powerful impact on the physical.