Mark 1:36-2:12

After a long day of healing and meeting the physical needs of others, Jesus rested and then rose up early the next morning to pray. Mark records that He found a solitary place, probably away from the crowds of the city so that He could be alone (1:35). However, Jesus’ time of prayer was interrupted when Peter (and a group of others) found Him and revealed that everyone was looking for Him (1:36-37). Capernaum was most likely buzzing with excitement over the previous night’s miracles. Instead of going back to Capernaum, Jesus suggested that they “go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth” (1:38). He was well aware that the crowds would swell, but that He needed to move on in order to continue preaching salvation through faith and repentance. So, Jesus continues preaching throughout Galilee and doing many miraculous works (1:39). Mark specifically mentions Jesus’ encounter with a leper who came begging to be healed. The leper declared in faith, “If You are willing, You can make me clean” (1:40). Observing the faith of the leper, Jesus is “moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed” (1:41). Mark documents Jesus emotional connection with the leper as He saw his helpless condition. No one wanted to touch lepers for fear of becoming ceremonially unclean, but Jesus touched him. The leper is healed (1:42) and Jesus commands him not to tell anyone what had happened so that overwhelming multitudes would not hinder His ministry (1:43-44). “However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction” (1:45).

After several days outside the crowds of Capernaum, Jesus returns and many hear that He is back (2:1). Jesus is preaching the word (gospel) to those who have gathered in Peter’s house and Mark records a miraculous event which took place. Four guys carry in a man, probably on a stretcher, who is paralyzed. Trying to make their way through the crowd proved impossible so they went to the roof of the house and broke through the ceiling in order to let down this man down (2:3-4). “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you’” (2:5). In this society, sickness or disease was usually viewed as punishment for sins, although it always was not the case. This man most likely confessed his sin prior to being healed. Ultimately, Jesus released him from physical and spiritual bondage. The scribes (interpreters of the Old Testament) were standing by while all this was happening and viewed Jesus actions as blasphemous because only God has the power to forgive sin (2:6-7). They were correct in knowing that God alone had the power to forgive sin, but they did not believe Jesus was God. Jesus quickly picked up on their thinking, so He responds by asking some questions, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” (2:8-10). Jesus’ healing of this man proved that His power was from God. God had not only given Jesus the power to bring physical healing, He had also given Him power to forgive sin. Jesus turns to the paralytic and commands him to “take up your [his] bed, and go to your house” (2:11). The man does as Jesus says and all those who were present were “amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!” Jesus is seen in this passage as the compassionate Christ who has truly been given the power to heal, forgive, and bring glory to His Father. May we also see Christ as our healer, forgiver, and ultimately the One to whom all glory is due.

Dear God, help me to experience Your compassion today and may I see Your ability to heal and forgive in my own life.