Called in Authority

January 17, 2021 Background Scripture: Mark 2:1 – 12 Lesson Passage: Mark 2:1 – 12 “We never saw anything like this.” That’s the statement made at the end of today’s passage of scripture. This was quickly becoming the sentiment of many who witnessed the teaching and miracles of Jesus throughout Galilee. Wherever Jesus showed up a crowd would gather. Everyone did not come for the same reason. Some came to hear and to seek understanding about practical religious matters. Some came seeking a physical miracle for themselves or others. Some skeptics came in the hopes of exposing Jesus as a phony. Perhaps many were there out of curiosity because others were there. Whatever the reason that caused people to be attracted to Jesus, it seems as though they were amazed at his larger-than-life reputation. Indeed, Jesus was their rock star, or idol. It appears Jesus kept doing the unexpected. Some things Jesus said were spoken so plainly that the simple uneducated masses could easily comprehend his teaching. Jesus did not talk over their heads; he talked to them. The setting described by the lesson passage was inside someone’s house in Capernaum. The house was filled—including the doorway and windows. The crowd was gathered around Jesus. Five men arrived too late to be a part of the audience. One was paraplegic and was carried by the other four. They went on top of the house and removed some tiling. This would have undoubtedly been distracting to Jesus and those in the house with him. The four men let down the cot into the house. The bible says Jesus took note of the faith of the four men. What did Jesus see? Jesus saw four men determined to get someone in his presence who could never have gotten there on his own. They overcame the crowd and obstacles to do so. The bible does not record why the four men did what they did. Jesus’ response makes it evident that the four men believed the paraplegic could be helped by Jesus in some fashion. Jesus addressed the paraplegic and told him that his sins were forgiven. I am not certain that is the outcome the four men were seeking, but Jesus' statement stirred up some Jewish religious teachers who condemned it as blasphemy. They were versed enough in the Holy Scriptures to know that only God has the authority to forgive sins. They reasoned this in their hearts. How could one who was doing such great miracles blaspheme God at the same time? Their discomfort did not go unnoticed by Jesus. He addressed it by demonstrating to them the level of authority he was given to forgive sins on earth. Jesus told the paraplegic to get up, pick up his cot, and go to his house. At once, the paraplegic arose, took the cot, and walked out of their presence. Jesus demonstrated to them that it was just as easy for him to make one statement as it was for him to make the other relative to the paraplegic. Both statements required Jesus to have God’s authority on earth. Jesus was totally committed to the will and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Everything they were able to witness Jesus teaching or doing was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s guidance and approval. Jesus made both statements because they could see the immediate results of one, but they needed to believe the immediate results of the other. Healing the paraplegic benefitted him but receiving the forgiveness of sins benefits all who accepts it. The physical healing was temporary in that it would only last the rest of the paraplegic’s natural life. The forgiveness of sins would last throughout eternity. Even today, the power to heal and the power to forgive sins are still available from Jesus because he was called in authority. Robert C. Hudson December 5, 2020