Mark 2:1-12 Faith Without Works is Dead

When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

It has been said, “faith without works is dead.” Jesus, as the Son of God, has faith in his father to do all things. Jesus demonstrates that he is under the authority of God by not only healing a man of his physical ailment, but making this man whole by forgiving his sins! Jesus’ miracles were a sign that he was sent by the father and that he and the father are one. But the people could not believe and have never seen such a thing as this.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, all too often we limit Your unlimited power. We reason in our minds, “Who could do such a thing as this?” This too is sin. Lord Jesus, set us free by forgiving our sins and give us a faith necessary to free ourselves from our flesh and believe. In Your holy name I pray Amen.