I remember the first time I heard the story of our next step in Mark’s Gospel. It was Sunday School at the rural church we attended growing up. The teacher used a flannel board and sticky-backed paper characters to tell the story. That story was about the paralytic lowered into the room by his four friends.
“When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them. They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Right away Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic—“I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.” Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Jesus went out again beside the sea. The whole crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.” (Mark 2:1–13, CSB) Matthew and Luke also record this event with little difference.
Over the years, preachers and teachers have focused on various aspects of this event. Many will recall that it is one of the first lessons in our Forgiveness Bible Study. In that lesson, we focused on Christ’s utter authority to forgive. Others have focused on the friend’s faith or the willingness of the friend to carry the paralytic to Jesus. Today, let’s use Mark’s theme as a filter and focus on three signs in this story that Jesus is the Son of God.
The Scribes had it right: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus forgiving the man his sins is the first of the three signs. We can forgive each other, but only God can forgive the sins committed against Him. Jesus emphasizes this point later in the story. “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic—“I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”
The second sign is knowing the thoughts of the scribes as if they were spoken. We are told in 1 Samuel, “Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b, CSB) On that day, Jesus saw their heart and knew their thoughts.
The third sign is the healing of the paralytic. Does that mean that everyone God uses to bring healing is the Son of God? Of course not. But together with everything else, healings were a sign that Jesus is the Son of God.
You may have noticed that Jesus used the title Son of Man instead of Son of God. There is a two-fold purpose in Christ’s usage. The first is to remind us of His humanity. The second is to connect His purpose with something the people present that day would know well. From the Book of Daniel, “I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13–14, CSB) The people of that day strongly connected the Son of Man with the expected Messiah and His kingdom.
Getting practical. Jesus forgives our sins, hallelujah. He heals our diseases. Remember, all healing is Divine healing. And lastly, He knows the thoughts and intentions of our secret thoughts – oh no. Nothing is hidden from God. He knows it all. Many in this Christian life strive to do and say the right things – fantastic. But, like the Pharisees, it is only superficial. We are called to live in Christ with humble integrity, worshiping God in Spirit and Truth. Why lie to God? He knows our heart and thoughts better than we do.
- Mark: Three Signs - April 30, 2025
- Mark – If You Are Willing - April 28, 2025
- Mark: Healing, Prayer, and Preaching - April 16, 2025
