Day 11 : Mark 2:1-12
Read Mark 2:1-12
Helpful Background Information:
After gaining fame for His teaching and healing, Jesus returned to Capernaum, a hub for His ministry. Crowds quickly gathered at a home, likely Peter’s, making it impossible for more people to enter. As Jesus preached, four friends brought a paralyzed man to Him, but they couldn’t reach Him because of the crowd. Undeterred, they removed part of the roof and lowered their friend into Jesus’ presence. This bold act of faith set the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His authority, not only to heal but also to forgive sins.
Jesus’ response to the paralytic—“Your sins are forgiven”—shocked the scribes, who knew only God could forgive sins. By reading their thoughts and healing the man, Jesus proved His divine authority. The crowd marveled, glorifying God for what they witnessed, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Reflection Questions:
How do the actions of the four friends challenge the way you think about faith?
How can you be like the friends in this story, helping others encounter Jesus?
Were the Pharisees correct in their critique in verse 7? Why or why not?
Why do you think Jesus addressed the paralytic’s spiritual need before his physical one?