Word of Jesus Part 26
Mar 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was
noised that he was in the house.
Mar 2:2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no
room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the
word unto them.
Mar 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne
of four.
Mar 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered
the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed
wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
Mar 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy
sins be forgiven thee.
Mar 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in
their hearts,
Mar 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God
only?
Mar 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned
within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Mar 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be
forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive
sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Mar 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine
house.
Mar 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them
all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw
it on this fashion.
Matthew recounts this same healing but does not mention anyone being led down
from the roof.
I see here the attitude of not giving up. It wasn't the man that was sick who
wouldn't give up but those helping him. I see such love for the one suffering
that they were so determined to get to Jesus, they opened up the roof and let
the sick man down. Do you think if we showed that much zeal and determination
that we wouldn't be able to receive salvation, healing and anything in the will
of God from our Lord. Maybe we give up too soon. These people showed more
determination that I have ever shown. They did not give up.
Palsy. (contracted from paralysis). The loss of sensation, or the power of
motion, or both, in any part of the body. The infirmities included under this
name, in the New Testament were various: --
1. The paralytic shock affecting the whole body, or apoplexy.
2. That affecting only one side.
3. Affecting the whole system below the neck.
4. Catalepsy, caused by the contraction of the muscles in the whole, or a part,
of the body. This was very dangerous and often fatal. The part affected remains
immovable, and diminishes in size and dries up. A hand thus affected was called
"a withered hand." Mat_12:10-13.
5. Cramp. This was a most dreadful disease caused by the chills of the nights.
The limbs remain immovably fixed in the same position as when seized as it, and
the person seems like one suffering torture. It is frequently followed, in a few
days, by death. Several paralytics were cured by Jesus. Mat_4:24; Mat_8:13 etc.
One paralyzed is completely dependent upon those that help. This man was lucky
to have people who not only cared but didn't give up when great crowds prevented
them from seeking help from the Lord.
As for the damage to the roof. I have a feeling they didn't suffer loss, but if
they did, just the salvation of the soul was worth more than any roof.
Another thing discussed here is forgiveness of sins. Jesus came mainly to
forgive sins and make the way of salvation whereby we would not have to pay the
supreme penalty for sins, that being eternal death or hell. Jesus showed by
saying that they man's sins was forgiven that the main reason for His coming was
to save from sin and by saying this and also healing the diseased person, He was
showing proof that He had power to forgive sins as well as heal the sick.
Only God has the power to forgive sins. This is one thing we must remember.
Jesus was God in the flesh. Jesus had the power to forgive sins.
We are to preach the gospel and tell others of salvation. We are to heal the
sick also but God does the healing; we cannot heal by our own power.
Act 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the
people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly
wondering.
Act 3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel,
why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own
power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
Act 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers,
hath glorified his Son Jesus;..............
Act 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom
ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect
soundness in the presence of you all.
Peter and John acknowledged that it was not by their power or holiness but by
God's power that the sick were healed. They refused to accept any adoration or
glory for what God did.
God only has the power to forgive sins. That power was not given to man but man
is to be the vessel to bring the message of forgiveness and salvation to all who
believe. Let us not rob God by taking any power and glory to ourselves because
we have nothing that we did not receive.
I believe a person with determination and zeal can get as close to God and be
used of God in a mighty way to save the lost. We are as close to God as we
desire to be. Nothing is impossible if we seek God with all our hearts. We can
be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit by being determined and not giving up.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them
that ask him
