Mark 2:1-12
Read Mark 2:1-12 noticing the different perspectives: the man, the friends, the teachers of religious law, the crowd, and Jesus.
Now read Mark 2:1-12 again focusing solely on Jesus’ perspective.
This is a complex story from which multiple lessons could be drawn, but the one thread that flows all the way through is the way Jesus reacts to the events. To the gathered crowd, he shares generously by his teaching, and at the sight of a paralyzed man being lowered through the ceiling, Jesus is struck by the faith of the man’s friends. The man’s need is painfully obvious, he is paralyzed, but Jesus sees past the obvious to the deeper need of the man’s soul and pronounces him forgiven - free of paralyzing guilt and shame. In this proclamation, Jesus reveals his God-given authority, and he immediately knows what the religious leaders in the room are thinking. Yes, he actually does have that kind of authority, and to underscore his divine right to heal the hidden paralysis of the man’s soul, he heals the obvious as well.
What is your greatest need? Your first answer to this question is probably the obvious, but can you sit with the question long enough to allow Jesus to take you deeper into the hidden need of your soul?
Do you have any regrets or guilt or shame that may be paralyzing, or at least slowing down, your spiritual and emotional growth?
Do you believe Jesus has the authority to declare you free from your regrets, guilt or shame? Are you ready to accept his healing whether it be instantaneous or part of a long process?
Talk all of this over with Jesus for a moment or two.
What do you sense Jesus inviting you to do right now? As you end this reflection time, identify the first step you need to take to respond to Jesus.
