Mark 2:1-12
2: And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Reflection
Throughout the book of Mark we will see that many people are opposed to the ministry of Jesus, beginning here with the spiritual and political leadership of Israel (see esp. Mark 2:7). Jesus’ own natural family will also resist him (3:20–21, 31–35). Judas will oppose him because of satanic influence and because of his political disappointment over Jesus (14:3–11; Luke 22:3–6; John 6:70). Peter will deny Jesus in order to preserve his own life (Mark 14:30, 66–72). In each of these scenarios, the constant theme is self-preservation at the expense of Christ.
Thankfully Jesus is powerful enough to conquer our rebellion. In this passage he continues to display his authority in the spiritual and physical realms by forgiving and healing the paralytic man. As disciples, we learn that Jesus’ authority to forgive sins is unique, since only God has such authority (2:7; Neh. 9:17; Isa. 43:25; Ps. 103:2–3; 130:4; Jer. 31:34; Dan. 9:9). The good news of God’s forgiveness is more valuable to our existence than anything else. The gospel is the key to our personal healing, inviting us to live in a reconciled relationship with God. This reconciliation empowers us to live with a transformed perspective in all areas of personal and corporate life.
1 Corinthians 15:12-19
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Reflection
For the rest of chapter 15, Paul addresses a final problem: some in Corinth accept Jesus’ resurrection from the dead but deny that Christians will rise from the dead someday as well (1 Cor. 15:12, 16). Apparently it was hard for some of the Corinthians to fathom what it would mean to have a body after death. This may have been especially difficult for those who believed that a physical body was a hindrance to true spirituality (cf. 7:1–5). Therefore, some within the church are teaching that there is no such thing as a bodily resurrection from the dead. The devastating problem with that teaching is that it implies that even Jesus has not been raised from the dead (15:13); and if that’s true, then our entire faith is worthless (vv. 14–17).
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a critical part of the gospel (see vv. 4–8). Without it, our faith would be “futile” because it would mean that his death did not actually have the power to conquer sin (v. 17). It is also essential to recognize that Christians will join Jesus for eternity with physically resurrected bodies. The rest of chapter 15 explains this aspect of our glorious future.
Psalm 130:3-4
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
God is the only one with the authority to clear our sins, and he has made a way for it through Jesus. Bask in the freedom that Christ purchased, and pray that God will strengthen you to be a person marked by the same gracious attitude toward others (cf. Matt. 18:21–35).