Conversations: Jesus and … The paralysed man
(Mark 2:1–12)
A good Sunday school favourite is the healing of a paralysed man. Something remarkable happened that day: The conversation of Jesus with the teachers of the law, and then with the paralysed man. This story is also recorded in Matthew 9:2–8 and Luke 5:17–26. In our study, we will focus on the account in Mark 2:1–12.
Read Mark 2:1,2
Throughout Mark’s gospel, we get a growing sense that Jesus is often mobbed by large crowds. We find this story at the beginning of chapter 2, only a short time into Jesus’ earthly ministry, and yet the acts of healing he has already performed have earned him a reputation. Imagine yourself part of the local community at that time.
Would you have flocked to Jesus or kept your distance?
What do you think people were hoping for when they came to Jesus in large crowds?
Read Mark 2:3,4
A paralysed man was in desperate need of healing, and the Great Healer was in town. In his immobile state, there was just no way he was going to be able to get to Jesus by himself. Four men went to great lengths to get him to Jesus, even damaging the roof of a house in the process. This shows incredible loyalty and friendship.
Have you ever been the recipient of an act of great loyalty and friendship, or have you acted in this way toward someone else? Share what comes to mind.
Jesus values sincere friendship greatly and gives the words “friend” and “friendship” a new meaning.
Read John 15:12–17
The greatest act of friendship for us is to bring our friends to Jesus.
Have you had a friend who has pointed you to Jesus? Have you pointed a friend to Jesus?
The act of the four men also shows their deep faith: Without believing that Jesus could help, it is unlikely they would have gone to so much effort. We read how Jesus takes note of this:
Read Mark 2:5
What would you have expected Jesus to do when a paralysed man is lowered down in front of him?
What did Jesus do instead?
Why is Jesus’ response to the paralysed man unexpected?
Read Mark 2:6–11
The obvious thing for Jesus to do would have been to heal the man’s paralysis. Instead, he did what only God is capable of doing, he healed his soul by forgiving his sins. The crowd was surprised and the teachers of the law deeply offended. The forgiveness of sins is not something that can be seen.
Is the spiritual healing of forgiveness more important than a physical healing?
If you could only choose one or the other, which one would you pick? Why?
Which areas of a) yourself; b) your congregation; c) the LCANZ do you consider in need of healing at the moment?
Read Mark 2:12
Jesus completely frees this man. He frees him from paralysis of the soul as he moves from a state of guilt to forgiveness. He also frees him from his physical paralysis, and he starts to walk, even able to carry his mat.
Do you consider yourself “freed completely” by Jesus?
Would it render you speechless to see a paralysed person get up and walk?
Do you think we should be equally awed by the forgiveness we receive from Jesus?
Why is it harder to be in true awe of the forgiveness we have gained through Jesus?
Read John 20:24–29
What is your reaction to this story?
Would you agree that we can all be like doubting Thomas at times?
There are, however, external signs of internal miracles like forgiveness as well.
Can you think of what these might be?
Consider Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8,9). When we look to Jesus, life cannot be the same. Bitterness transforms into forgiveness, anger into compassion, rejection into understanding. Our daily encounters with Jesus are transformational! Jesus sets us free – completely!
Let us pray: Dear Jesus, you bind us all together in your love, in your grace, in your forgiveness which flows from the cross and deep into our souls. We are washed clean by your blood and shine whiter than snow before you. Thank you for the freedom you give us. As we are daily set free by you, may we rejoice and go on our way with a spring in our step. Keep leading us to come back to you daily for forgiveness, restoration and replenishment. Heal us, our congregation, and our church, in the way only you can. In your name we pray. Amen.
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