Jesus Heals A Paralyzed Man
Mark Chapter 2
People were excited whenever they heard that Jesus was in their area because they either wanted to see a miracle or be the one who was healed. So, as Jesus entered one of the homes in this city, people quickly gathered around him. So many people came that there was no room left, not even outside the door. There were even people gathered outside to see and hear Jesus when he came. That's where things got interesting. There were four men who heard that Jesus was in town who decided to carry their paralyzed friend on a mat to him, to see if he could be healed. As soon as they got to the house where Jesus was, they realized that they wouldn't be able to get through to see him. The men who were carrying him were beginning to get tired. One of them said, "I don't think I can carry this man anymore! I don't know how long Jesus will be here and this man really needs to see Jesus today! He needs to be healed. Even the doctors can't heal him, only Jesus can. Let's take him to the roof of the place where Jesus is." After digging through the roof the men lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on down to where Jesus was. Jesus was probably smiling as the man was being lowered down. These men were so sure that Jesus would be able to heal him, otherwise they wouldn't have gone to so much trouble. The first thing Jesus said when He saw that they believed was, "Son, your sins are forgiven." But the friends wanted them to be healed not forgiven, this man needed to walk! But Jesus knew what this man really needed most because Jesus knew what was in his heart. Jesus knew that being paralyzed would be difficult but it was even worse not to be forgiven. Some of the people heard Jesus forgive the man and they began thinking, "How dare this man forgive sins, only God can do that." Immediately Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to them, "Why are you thinking these things?" "Which was easier: to say to the paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, and walk'? You will then know that I am God." This might be a bit hard to understand but Jesus was trying to let the people know that God has given him the power to forgive sins and heal people. These things could not be done by just a regular person but only by God. Then, before He was finished Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." The man got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. The man might have thanked Jesus and maybe even gave him a big hug! He could've laughed and maybe did a little dance on his way out. He probably didn't go straight home either...what a day that would've been for him and his friends! The crowd was very amazed and they praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" God was able to heal even a paralyzed man who had little hope of ever walking again! If we come to him when we are sick and need help, he can help us too!
