MARK 2:1-12

When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them. 3 They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: 7 “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 Right away Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic— 11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”

12 Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

HEAR:

• Meditate on the miracle of this healing. Remember the marvels you have seen and heard about (v12)

• Are you living in the truth of your forgiveness? Ask the Holy Spirit for freedom from shame (v5, 10)

• Consider how your faith can encourage those around you. Reflect on the power of your testimony (v4-5, 12)

RESPOND:

• Praise God for hunger in our city and pray for more, for our city to be full of rooms filled with people eager to hear the Gospel (v2)

• Pray for shameless boldness in pursuit of Jesus and in sharing our faith (v4)

• Lay before God times of grumbling against Him and ask for a renewed heart (v7, Ezek 36:26)