God’s Mission
Mark 2:1-11
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
When considering God's mission, this facet fits very comfortably in the skin of life-long Lutherans. Sin and forgiveness of sin are central even in the miraculous and crowd-awing healing of a disabled man. Jesus comes to forgive sins and this story shows that even His other (secondary) actions point toward the primary goal of bringing forgiveness.
But don’t make the mistake of seeing this story as limited to forgiveness of a previously lame man. It was also about forgiveness for those watching Jesus exercise His authority also: “But,” Jesus said, speaking to the teachers of the law “I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – and then healed the man, showing His authority over physical and spiritual maladies. The teachers of the law, like everyone in the crowd also need forgiveness in Jesus’ name.
But they needed to acknowledge Him as Lord. Like He told another teacher in John 3, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of the Spirit – the Holy Spirit, which teaches that Jesus is Lord.
Prayer
Imagine yourself as part of the story: one of the people in the crowd, one of the friends, the lame man or maybe a teacher of the law. Take note of your thoughts and emotions and dialog with God about them in prayer.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 23:4a
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For You are with me;
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Romans 8:31b
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
When you reflect back to the dark valleys of your past, envision the stories in such a way as to see how God comforted and led you through to the other side.
Sharing Task
Take time to share a dark valley moment in your life and how you have come to see God’s presence through that time.
Journal or share with a small group about God’s presence in your dark moments.