In a book I recently read, the author made the following statement, "I have learned when teaching others not to tell what I can ask."  I have been challenged by that thought, and would like to apply that to my writing.  I have been "telling" you what I have learned.  But, I believe there is a much greater blessing for you if you discover it for yourself.  So, I would like to do more "asking" and less "telling" in these emails.  I will be praying that God uses His Word in your life to bless you as it has me.

The Paralytic Healed - God Revealed

The Scene

Jesus has been ministering in and around Galilee and Capernaum.  Jesus has recently healed Peter’s mother in law (Mark 1:29-31).  After doing so, the people of Capernaum brought to him all the diseased and demon possessed, and he healed them all (Matt 8:16).

Leaving Capernaum, Jesus went around the Galilean country side ministering in various towns and synagogues throughout the region.  In one of the towns, Jesus healed a leper.  Although given strict orders from Jesus not to publicize his healing, the man publicized it greatly.  So much so, that news of his healing, and Jesus other acts made it as far as Jerusalem.  Jesus was forced to retreat to solitary places in order to avoid being mobbed (Mark 1:45).  Many of the religious leaders and experts of the law started to make their way up to Capernaum in order to try and refute the stories they had heard.

The Scripture:

Read the following passages, then answer the questions below.

Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26

1.    Make a list of the key players in this story and consider the impact of these events on each of them.   What do you think each of the characters learned through this situation?

2.    If you have the time, think about and investigate the following questions.  

• How did Jesus handle the religious leaders?

• Why did the religious leaders get so upset by Jesus statement to forgive the man’s sin?

• What was the significance of Jesus forgiving the man’s sins first, then healing his body?

• Based on the above, what can you conclude about God’s ultimate purpose in this man being paralyzed?  (Mark 2:10)

• What claim was Jesus giving proof to?

• What events has God allowed in your life for the simple purpose of proving Himself to you and to those who witness your life?  

The School Master

Rabbinical tradition required a physical cleansing to support a spiritual cleansing and verify deity.  In forgiving the man’s sin, Jesus was claiming deity and the religious leaders knew it.  They wanted to write him off as a heretic and a blasphemer, but Jesus fulfilled the rabbinical requirement for both.

What was God’s purpose in this man being paralyzed?  This is the only place in scripture you see this man.  We don’t know his name or anything about him.  He is slung on and walked off the pages of scripture in this one incident.  We don’t know how long he was paralyzed, or anything else about his condition.  But, Jesus needed a life in which he could forgive sins and perform the rabbinical external cleansing/healing as well.  Jesus stated very clearly the purpose in this man being healed.  (Mark 2:10) “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” In other words, that you may know that I AM GOD!

Does God want to put flesh and bones on His Son through the testimony of your life?  Does God want to prove the deity of His Son by His work in your life in the audience of others (believers and/or unbelievers)?  How do you respond in the face of opportunities for God to show His deity?