“Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.” (Mark 2:3-4) [The presenting of this poor cripple man came to Jesus, to be helped by him. The patient was one paralyzed, so that he was carried by four friends, upon a mat. It was because of his misery, that he needed to be carried, and demonstrates the tragic state of human life; it was the charity, of those who carried him, and speaks of their compassion for a fellow-man in desperate need of help, perhaps these men were doing this, because we never know how soon this kind of distress may be our own!] “WHEN JESUS SAW THEIR FAITH, HE SAID TO THE PARALYZED MAN, “SON, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.” (Mark 2:5) [Jesus commended their faith, because they brought their friend through so much difficulty. True and strong faith may work vigorously, conquering sometimes the objections of reason, sometimes those of sense; but, however demonstrated, it shall be accepted and approved by Jesus Christ! Why did Jesus come? To seek and save those who are lost! Jesus claims true believers as his sons: a son, and yet sick of the palsy. Herein God deals with us as His sons.] “Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, THINKING TO THEMSELVES, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:5) [God’s blessings are devoted to those in need of them, and here He shows that he knows our thoughts, as well as forgiving our sins. This magnifies the grace of Jesus, in pardoning sin, that he also knows men’s thoughts, and this demonstrates that He knows more than any other can know, both of the sinfulness of our sins and the particulars of them, and yet is ready to forgive!] “Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” HE GOT UP, TOOK HIS MAT AND WALKED OUT IN FULL VIEW OF THEM ALL. This amazed everyone and THEY PRAISED GOD, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:8-12) [Witnessing a miracle will cause us to willingly and excitingly praise the Lord!]
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that WE WILL PRAISE GOD AND ALSO SAY, βWE HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THISβ!
-Bill Stockham