“1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door, and he was speaking the word to them. 3 Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves, and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— he said to the paralytic — 11 “I say to you, stand up, take your mat, and go to your home.” 12 And he stood up and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this” Mark 2:1-12!
Most people don’t realize that this was probably Jesus’ own house, and yet that is what the text says. He had moved to Capernaum from Nazareth and returned from his short preaching trip. After returning from neighboring villages He found crowds pressing around the door to His home as though he were a movie star or well-known sports star. Yes, indeed, Jesus Himself was the unlucky householder who had His roof ruined that day.
This story is a tiny version of the whole gospel: Jesus teaching and healing, Jesus condemned for blasphemy, Jesus vindicated. The paralyzed man’s healing points forward to the new life that Jesus himself will have in the resurrection, and will share with everyone who wants it.
The key sentence, then, is the one in verse 10: “The son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
In many cultures today, including our own, forgiveness is seen as a sign of weakness. Revenge, then, becomes a kind of moral duty. Sometimes whole families, whole communities, entire races of people, are torn apart this way.
Forgiveness is replaced by retribution, getting even for what others have done to you.
We shouldn’t be surprised, then, that Jesus’ unexpected declaration of forgiveness sent shock waves running through the house, the village, the nation, and finally through the world. It wasn’t simply that He was committing a theological crime. The hole in his own roof was nothing compared with the hole He was tearing through an entire way of life. Forgiveness is the most powerful thing in the world, but because it is so costly we prefer to settle for other options. Jesus, already on His way to paying the full price, offered nothing less than the best.
Dear friends, forgiving is a necessity, or we are all doomed. Forgive and love as Jesus forgives and loves. This is arguably, then, the most important text in all of Scripture: Jesus said, “34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:34-35.
Let me rewrite this text then: I give you a new commandment, that you forgive one another. Just as I have forgiven you, you also should forgive one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have forgiveness for one another!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” Ephesians 4:32.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Matthew 6:14-15.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven” Luke 6:37.
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” Mark 11:25.
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