Jesus Heals a Paralyzed man (Mark 2:1-12)

Jesus Heals a paralyzed man (Mark 2)

Today, we’re back to the miracles of Jesus.  Today is one of my very favorite stories because it tells us about not only how wonderful Jesus was, but tells us about an amazing group of friends.

Do you know what it means to be paralyzed?  It means you can move—your arms, legs, neck, feet and hands won’t  go the way you want them to.  Our story today is about a paralyzed man, his friends, and the gift Jesus gave them.

Today, we begin in a town called Capernaum.  Jesus and his disciples had been traveling and speaking in many, many places.  So many people came to hear Jesus speak and to ask him to heal them!  When they were in Capernaum, there was a BIG crowd and they met in a little house.  It could maybe hold 50 people, but they were all shoulder to shoulder.

And the strange thing happened.  As Jesus talked, they could hear RIP, RUSTLE RUSTLE RUSTLE, CREAK!

And suddenly there was a LOT of light!  Someone had peeled back the straw and hay roof!  And look!  Something was being lowered down! Down came a man on a thin mat.  He couldn’t move.  His 4 friends were on the roof carefully lowering him down to see Jesus.

The men didn’t have to say anything—Jesus knew why they had taken off the roof and were lowering their friend. 

Do you think Jesus was angry? NO!  Jesus saw that these men trusted him to heal their friend.  Not only did they bring him to hear Jesus, they carried him to the roof and lowered him down when they couldn’t get to see Jesus any other way.  

Jesus said: “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

People were puzzled—wait!  Didn’t they want the man to be healed?  Why was he saying the paralyzed man was forgiven?

Jesus spoke again, “ Why do you wonder these things?  Which is easier to say, ‘you are forgiven  or ‘Get up and walk!’  I want you to see that I have the authority and ability on the Earth to forgive your sins.”

But after this, Jesus turned to the man

“Pick up your mat, and walk home.”

The man got up, in full view of the crowd, and walked.  He walked through the crowded house, out into the street and towards his home, just as Jesus had said.

Everyone was amazed!  

So what did we learn?  Jesus heals us and forgives us.  Friends help carry us in our faith sometimes (here, it was literally!)

 Can you be a friend who helps others?  Prays for others?  Do you have any friends who are sick that we can pray for?