Punctuating our Words with Actions when we Talk About Jesus: RRE 24
Religion Ruins Everything Daily 10.4.16 from One Life Network on Vimeo.
[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 more room, not even at 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 bed on which the paralytic lay. [5] And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” [6] Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, [7] “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! 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 these things in your hearts? [9] Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed 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, pick up your bed, and go home.” [12] And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Mark 2:1–12 ESV
Jesus is teaching in a house and so many people are crowded in, the only way for these guys to get their friend to Jesus is to rip out part of the roof. In the midst of that crowd, there are scribes that are so close that they are sitting. Scribes were men that would copy out the books of the Bible. These guys knew the words of the scriptures backwards and forwards.
When Jesus saw the faith of the guys on the roof, he said to the paralyzed guy laying on the mat they had lowered down
“Your sins are forgiven.”
There probably isn’t a more shocking thing for Jesus to say at this point. Forgiving sins was something only God could do. A woman could forgive her neighbor, but the sin was still around and against God. Only God could take away, or forgive, sin.
Jesus answered their questions with his words, but he put an exclamation point on it with his actions. The scribes that heard this were really confounded. They may have already heard Jesus teach all kinds of things all day (they had to come early to get a seat, so they’ve been listening to Jesus for a while) and now He talks like He can forgive sins.
To help them with their struggle, Jesus asks, “Which is easier, so say your sins are forgiven or take up your mat and walk?” This is a silly question, because both of those are equally impossible. Before the scribes can be confused any more, Jesus shows them the answer with His actions.
We have the obligation to answer questions and the privilege to show people that Jesus christ has changed our lives. Jesus has power over everything and changes everything He comes in contact with. Because Jesus has changed and is changing our lives, we can answer questions with words and with actions.