Mark 2:1-12

Jesus healed a crippled man Mark 2:1-12: Jesus did not remain in the desert after Satan tempted Him. He returned to Capernaum. Word quickly passed that He was in a certain house and a large crowd gathered. Such a large crowd gathered that no one else could not get into the house. There was standing room only around the outside of the house.

A palsied man was brought to Jesus by four men. They carried him on a bed or mat. When they could not get to Jesus because of the great number of people they made a hole in the room above him and lowered the man in front of everyone. Please observe that "when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Nothing is said about the faith of the crippled man. The faith was on the part of those that brought him to Jesus.

Jesus said to the man, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." This started the criticism of the religious leaders. They said, "He must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins." Jesus knew what they were thinking in their heart and he knows what you are thinking in your heart! He wanted these religious leaders to under-stand that His authority was from God so He asked "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'?" Jesus demonstrated that He is the Son of God by this great miracle. The result was immediate and the people were amazed.

Lessons From A Crippled Man Mark 2:1-12

Immediately after Jesus was tempted by Satan he returned to Capernaum. There He healed a crippled man that was let down through the roof. Let us observe:

Faith overcomes difficulties. The four men could have easily said, "Too many people" or "too much trouble." Yet they went up on the roof and removed some tiles and let the man down before Jesus. We must possess this same bold faith that allows us to overcome life's obstacles through Jesus.

Faith brought the Lord's blessings: Saving faith is always obedient faith. And in this case the faith of these four men prompted the Lord to provide an even great blessing than they expected. They desired that the Lord would heal the body of this man. In addition to that the Lord said, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Obedient faith brings great blessings from God.

Faith brought these men to observe Divine authority: Jesus wanted them to not only believe that He could perform miracles but that He was God in the flesh. It is amazing how the tide of life turns when one's being is given over to the authority of God. A worthless and wasted life can become meaningful and strong through the Christ. God can forgive sins and change lives!

Faith overcomes human criticism. The Devil always finds ways to discourage good works. He especially hurts and hinders Christians and the church through criticism. The critics of Jesus asked, "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?" Likely with any good work that we try to do there will always be some critic there asking why. Faith fortifies us against the Devil's criticism!

The Bible says, "Many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." These Corinthians had saving faith. Do you have this same kind of faith?