Jesus Heals a Paralysed Man
One of my favourite stories in the Gospel is St Mark’s account of the healing of the paralysed man (Mark 2:1-12). I can be anyone in the story: one of the four men, the paralysed man, a bystander, one of the scribes: whichever person I choose to be, I find I can examine my relationship with Jesus. And I can bring to the story anything, or anyone, needing the healing touch of Jesus.
A few days later Jesus went back to Capernaum, and the news spread that he was at home. So many people came together that there was no room left, not even out in front of the door. Jesus was preaching the message to them when four men arrived, carrying a paralyzed man to Jesus. Because of the crowd, however, they could not get the man to him. So they made a hole in the roof right above the place where Jesus was.
When they had made an opening, they let the man down, lying on his mat. Seeing how much faith they had, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Some teachers of the Law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “How does he dare talk like this? This is blasphemy! God is the only one who can forgive sins!” At once Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said to them, “Why do you think such things? Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’? I will prove to you, then, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home!” While they all watched, the man got up, picked up his mat, and hurried away. They were all completely amazed and praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
SEE
What are the facts of the situation that Mark describes? Recall a situation in your own life, or in the world, that needs the presence and power of Jesus to transform people.
Why did the four men “think outside the box”? Why did Jesus forgive the paralysed man before healing him of his paralysis? Might not involving Jesus in the situation you have recalled, be your way of thinking outside the box?
How were people affected by what Jesus did in this situation? How would the presence of Jesus and the power of God impact those whose situation concerns you?
JUDGE
What do you think about this event in the life and work of Jesus? Now turn your thoughts to the situation in your own life, or in the world, which reflects either the grace of healing, or the conflict between those intent on preserving the rule of law and those who seek to respond with compassion to the needs of others. Look for signs of the presence of Jesus in the situation.
What does your faith tell you about Jesus that resonates with this story? Now bring that belief to bear on that which concerns you.
What part(s) of the story and that which concerns you would you like to change? Why?
ACT
If you were in the story told by Mark, what exactly would you want to change, or see happen? Now consider the situation you have recalled: what exactly would you want to change, or see happen in that situation?
Think for a moment of the actions of the paralysed man’s four friends. What action could you take over the next week that would be a worthwhile step towards achieving this change? Identify how this action reflects what your faith tells you about involving Jesus in your action.
Who else can you involve in your action? What can they do to support you in carrying out the action?
Author: Pat Branson
Image: Mosaic in Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. Photo: Wikimedia Commons