Saturday 19 October 2024
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. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (vs 4-5)
Background
Jesus has returned home to Capernaum, and it seems he is possibly staying at Peter’s house. We are told that crowds had come to see Jesus and he preached to them. Crowds are mentioned 40 times in Mark’s Gospel before chapter 10. However, this didn’t mean that these were all followers or disciples of Jesus, indeed in Mark’s Gospel the most common attribute given to the crowds is that they obstruct access to Jesus.
The crowd stand and observe, and then they see (to their discomfort) faith in action as the friends of the needy paralytic man find a way for him to reach Jesus. They dig through the flat mud roof, and I guess shower those below with dirt as they lower the man down. Nothing it seems was going to stop them getting their friend to the feet of Jesus. I imagine this didn’t go down too well with crowd, and Peter as the house owner may have winced a bit!
And then Jesus heals this man doubly. Jesus forgives him his sins and heals his paralysis. What joy for the man and his friends as well as for Peter and the other disciples.
Sadly, as always it seems to be the case, there were some present who could not share in the joy of this miracle and the good fortune of the healed man. The scribes are more concerned with their view of God, thinking only God can forgive sins. Somehow, they fail to see Jesus, the Son of Man (v. 10) is the embodiment of the God they claim to love and serve.
Over the years as a prison chaplain, I have encountered many men who have been part of the crowd and have come to the prison chapel to hear the word of God. Some come out of curiosity, some to get out of their cells, some out of desperation seeking hope, and others paralysed by their life choices and the torment they find themselves in.
For most, attending chapel in prison initially takes courage, particularly for the first time or after moving to a new prison. Sometimes it is the friendship and the faith of others, that enables a cell mate or a friend on the wing to enter the house of God to listen to the gospel and to be open to all that Jesus wants to give.
To Ponder:
- What obstacles do you think are in the way of people seeing and hearing the good news of Jesus?
- How might you and maybe your friends help someone in need to meet Jesus today?
Prayer
Jesus, Son of Man, healer and forgiver of sins, help me to put my faith in action for the wellbeing of others. Help me not to get in the way. In all I say and do may my neighbour be enabled to clearly see and meet the risen Christ. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Martin Earl
Martin Earl is Prison Chaplain & HQ Advisor to the HM Prison Service. He lives in Plymouth and currently supports chaplaincy teams and prison governors in 21 prisons across England.