Authority to Forgive and Heal

Intro.: [AGS]: Have you ever gone to someone with a need and what they give you in response causes you to leave puzzled and questioning, “Why this when I asked for/needed something different?” For instance, if I am working on a wood project with a carpenter, and I ask for a drill only to be given a container of glue, I might look at the carpenter with a puzzled look wondering how the two relate- perceiving I need one thing and being provided another. [TS]: Scripture is clear that our Heavenly Father knows what we need. Think of passages like that recorded in both Matthew and Luke’s Gospel (Mt. 7:9-11 and Lk. 11:11-13) where it is recorded that our Father knows our needs and how to meet them. The text today is clear that Jesus, the Son of God, proved that He could meet spiritual needs by meeting a physical need. [RS]: It is important for you and me to realize that we do not always know what our true need is. We may perceive our need as a physical need whereas it may really be a spiritual need. The comfort that we can have is that God knows our needs before we express them (Mt. 6:8), and in His omniscience, He knows how to meet them. We need to trust that Jesus, God’s Son, forgives our sin and heals us of our ultimate disease- sinfulness.

TS.: Let us examine a few notes of the text now.

People were interested in the Word Jesus was speaking to them. [vv. 1-2]

This is evidenced in the amount of people gathered to listen to him.

The word used for speaking (ἐλάλει) communicates a warm, conversational tone rather than a formal, proclamatory tone.

The “word” he was speaking to them was likely that focused on last week- the Good News about His coming, the urgency to repent and believe.

Jesus forgave the paralytic of his sins. [vv. 3-5]

Jesus, observing the faith of the four bringing the paralytic in, forgave the paralytic of his sins. INSERT: but Jesus, we didn’t bring him for forgiveness; we brought him for healing...

The way Jesus spoke to the paralytic should be noted. He called him “son”; The term (Τέκνον) used here is usually reserved for “child”, but the term is used here as a term of endearment or kindness. [1]

Kenneth S. Wuest commented, “The wretched physical condition of the sick man was due to his sinful life. Yet Jesus treats him with the utmost kindness.” [1]

Additionally, the verb used for “are forgiven” is much stronger than the English words communicates. It is a word that communicates to send away from or let go of completely.

The scribes questioned the authority of Jesus. [vv. 6-7]

The scribes- or theological teachers of the law- were disgruntled at the claim of Jesus to forgive the sins of the paralytic.

The question, “…Who can forgive sins but God alone?” “The Scribes were correct: only God can forgive sins! That is exactly and precisely what Jesus was asserting…in Jewish thinking even the Messiah could not forgive sins! God and God alone has that authority and right. Those first century Jews knew exactly what was going on: if He can forgive sins, then Jesus is God.” [2]

Their accusation was that Jesus, if He was not God, was blaspheming by offering forgiveness of sins. Blasphemy is ultimately the accusation that Jesus was crucified for.

Jesus proved his authority and ability to forgive sins by healing the man physically. [vv. 8-12a]

Because Jesus knew they would not believe in him based on the forgiveness he offered (it was less tangible and more abstract, no “verifiable” evidence), he healed the man of his paralysis.

Notice the purpose from verse 10:

ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε- but so that you may know- with lasting impact

The issue in question was Jesus’ authority. Jesus healed the man with the purpose of confirming His authority to forgive because He was the Son of Man.

Jesus always acts with purpose.

Notice the response of the paralytic following Jesus’ command for him to get up: immediately (εὐθὺς) He got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone.

Those present glorified God for this great miracle. [v. 12b]

The response of those present in the crowd was to praise God out of an overflow of amazement for what they witnessed- the authority of Jesus to forgive and to heal.

Response Questions:

[1] Do you presently trust that God knows your needs and is able to meet your needs?

[2] Is there a time in your life where the way God responded to a request or a need you presented in a way that caused you to be confused? Left you asking why?

[3] What do you need to confess and surrender to God today that has hindered you from trusting in Him?

Bibliography:

[1] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 47.

[2] Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 41.

[3] R. Alan Cole, Mark: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 2, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1989).

[4] Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887).

[5] Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885).

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