More Than A Healer

1/13/25 Mark 2:1-12

Friends bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus while He is teaching to be healed, but the home is too crowded. After a demolition project they lower their friend to Jesus. We would expect Jesus to say, “You're healed. Take your mat and go home.”

However, that is not what Jesus says. He states, “Your sins are forgiven.” Jesus is making a Messianic declaration that goes beyond healing the infirmed.

That causes a stink among those gathered for only God can forgive sin. They got that from Isaiah 43:25. They understood Jesus was claiming to be God.

Today, there are many people that boldly affirm, “Jesus never said he was God.” Their conviction is born from Jesus never declaring, “I am God.”

However, in statements like “Your sins are forgiven” Jesus is making the divine pronouncement as surely as if He had used the words. In order to prove His claim, He follows with “Get up. Take your mat, and go home.” Jesus is God the Son.

Q: Why might it matter that we embrace Jesus as God, and not just some spiritual healer?