Scripture: Mark 2:1-12
1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported
that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that
there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he
was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a
paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near
him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when
they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the
paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the
paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven."
6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in
their hearts, 7 "Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy!
Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 8 And immediately Jesus,
perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within
themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your
hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are
forgiven,' or to say, `Rise, take up your pallet and walk'? 10 But
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,
rise, take up your pallet and go home." 12 And he rose, and
immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so
that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw
anything like this!"
Meditation: Do you know the healing power of forgiveness and
compassion? Jesus' treatment of sinners upset the religious teachers
of the day. When a cripple was brought to Jesus because of the faith
of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first forgave the man
his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they
understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and to unbind
a man or woman from their burden of guilt.
Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give.
Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed
the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the
cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only
physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden
of guilt and restored his body as well. The Lord is every ready to
bring us healing of body, mind, and spirit. Is there any area in
your life that cripples you from walking in the freedom of Christ's
transforming love and forgiveness?
Bishop Ambrose of Milan (339-397 AD), an early church father,
explains how the healing of the paralytic points not only to
Christ's power to heal the whole person, but also to raise the
body to everlasting life as well:
But the Lord, wanting to save sinners, shows himself to be God both by his knowledge of secrets and by the wonder of his actions. He adds, "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you'" or to say, 'Rise and walk?'" In this passage he shows the full likeness of the resurrection. Alongside of healing the wounds of body and mind, he also forgives the sins of the spirit, removes the weakness of the flesh, and thus heals the whole person. It is a great thing to forgive people's sins - who can forgive sins, but God alone? For God also forgives through those to whom he has given the power of forgiveness. Yet it is far more divine to give resurrection to bodies, since the Lord himself is the resurrection. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.12-13.5)
Do you believe in the healing transforming power of Christ's forgiveness and merciful love? Ask him to set you free and transform your mind and heart to be like his heart.
"Lord Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and restoration to body, soul, and mind. May your healing power and love touch every area of my life - my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and memories. Pardon my offenses and transform me in the power of your Holy Spirit that I may walk confidently in your love, truth, and righteousness."
Psalm 89:2,15-19
1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever.
15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance,
16 who exult in your name all the day, and extol your
righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn
is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the LORD, our
king to the Holy One of Israel.
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Reverse your relation with sickness, by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD)
"Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you.
Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now
give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the
sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that
has been restored to you." (excerpt from HOMILY 50.6)
[Peter Chrysologus
was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th
century]
Scripture quotations from Common Bible: Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1973, and Ignatius Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 2006, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Citation references for quotes from the writings of the early church fathers can be found here.
![]() The Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations is in need of on-going development to expand resources and to reach people around the world. If you would like to contribute, you can make an online donation. |