Mark 2:1-12 In the way

The crowd brings a paralytic man to Jesus. He is carried by four men. I guess when the crowds got there, they forgot about the man, because men 

couldn’t get through to see Jesus. All seemed interested in what Jesus was teaching. Teachers of the law are there in the room and partly the reason why the man can’t be brought before Jesus. I imagine they are there to insure that the ignorant townsfolk aren’t swayed by incorrect doctrine from this country preacher. I can only imagine how seriously they took their job.It seems that everyone had their place, and no one was willing to lose it.

The four are not deterred and figure out that they can get through the roof. When they get through everyone is waiting for what comes next. Maybe some of the crowd were ashamed that they hadn’t made room for him to see Jesus. More likely they were pleased that the man was before Jesus and no one had to lose their place, much like when I see someone in need and somebody else helps them which absolves my responsibility

The first thing Jesus does when He sees their faith is that he forgives the paralytic’s sin.  What sin does a paralytic commit? Whatever sins they were, hey would have to be sins of thought as he couldn’t do more than that. Is that why the four worked so hard to get the man through the roof, to have his sin forgiven? Jesus hadn’t forgiven the sins of the four that had ripped open the roof. Was the man grateful for that gesture?

Apparently Jesus had chapped the hides of those scribes that were sitting in the front and partly the reason why the man couldn’t get through in the first place. It seems clear that God is using the man to drive home a point for those who are insuring correct teaching. Jesus read their thoughts.

He then heals the man to prove that just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. The miracle backed up Jesus’ claim.

What insures proper belief, correctly thinking about God? I’m sure there were many coming through town claiming to have a word from God. The scribes were there to insure that the town wasn’t swayed by men claims of revelation.

Jesus flies in the face of their thinking and shows why they should believe His claims. He backs up His statements with actions, and all are amazed.

Prayer: Help me to realize that if I decide I am one to insure right thinking and doctrine I may be blocking someone’s access to You and to restoration. I need to be very aware that in my desire to get things right, I may be in the way. I can rest in the understanding that  You, the One True God, will clearly reveal Himself to all.