The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
THE PARALYTIC FORGIVEN AND HEALED
The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
THE PARALYTIC FORGIVEN AND HEALED
Lesson Plan:
1. Jesus Preaching in a House of Capernaum (vs 1, 2)
2. The Paralytic in the City of Destruction (v 3)
3. On the Way to Health (v 3)
4. Overcoming Obstacles (v 4)
5. The Worst Disease Cured First (v 5)
6. Jesus Proves His Power to Forgive by His Power to Heal (vs 6-9)
7. The Paralytic Goes Home Cured (vs 10-12)
Lesson Setting:
Time: A.D. 28, on the return of Jesus from the circuit through Galilee, described in our last lesson.
Place: Capernaum, in a private home.
Place in the Life of Christ: In the earlier part of His great Galilean Ministry, perhaps two months before the Sermon on the Mount. John the Baptist in prison in Castle Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea.
Scripture Reading: Mark 2:1, 2
1. Jesus Preaching in a House in Capernaum
v 1 ... "And again he entered into Capernaum," on His return from His preaching tour in Galilee described in our last lesson.
v 1 ... "After some days," showing that the tour was not very long for it was measured by days, not weeks.
v 1 ... "He was in the house." There is no article in the original; it is in house, the house He was making His home. Jesus in the Home: Jesus had no home of His own (Matt. 8:20), but He blessed with His presence the homes of some of His beloved disciples; the home of Lazarus and Mary in Bethany, and of Peter or some other friend in Capernaum. There are many whose presence in our homes is a perpetual benediction and inspiration. There are many who would answer the request of the man who advertised for a boarding place where his good Christian example would be sufficient compensation for his board – that is, if he were the right know of a person. Illustration: Isaac Watts was invited to the home of Sir Thomas Abney, and he remained there 40 years. But who would not like to have his home the birthplace of so many hymns that have set millions of people singing about heaven?
An Oriental House: We will best understand the story which follows, if we obtain a clear idea of the house where it took place. The remains of houses have been discovered in Gezer, 20 miles WN West of Jerusalem. The better houses about Christ's time were built of well-dressed stones, the poorer ones of rubble. The walls were 18-24 inches thick. Mud was universally used as mortar. The houses are usually of one story, with a flat roof and outside stair; for during the heat of the summer ... the family slept there. They are generally surrounded by battlements. The roofs are made of branches of trees, canes, palm leaves, etc., covered with a thick stratum of earth. There were also different formations of roof. Red-tiled, zinc, and galvanized iron sloping roofs are to be seen in Syria, but the old firm and substantial flat roof is still a common feature in Eastern dwellings. The substructure of such a roof consists of timber beams of about a foot in diameter each, and they lie parallel with, and at a distance of two or three feet from, each other. The spaces between the beams are closed by stone slabs or pine boards, above which is placed a layer of earth fifteen inches thick, which is rolled watertight by a stone roller. The old Eastern house is a single room, and may be thirty or forty feet long, and twenty or more broad, by ten or twelve high. No partitions, but stone or timber pillars, support the massive flat roof.
Picture of the scene as soon as it "was noised that he was in the house ... straightway many were gathered" (vs 1, 2) together. Jesus was in one of the apartments or at the door or vestibule admitting to the building from the court. The entire court is closely packed with people eager to see and hear Jesus. The rooms are filled with eager listeners. The arched gateway is likewise so crowded it is impossible to gain entrance into the court. People are standing on tiptoe in the narrow street trying to look over one another's heads if by chance they may catch a glimpse of the wonderful Teacher. Luke tells us that these crowds came not only from every village of Galilee, but from Judea and even Jerusalem; and the interest was so great that Pharisees and doctors of the law were sitting by.
v 2 ... "And he preached," "was preaching," the word unto them, His message from God, the good news of the kingdom of heaven which He wished them to enter, the washing away of past sins, the blessings and joys of the new life. Luke adds "And the power of the Lord was with him to heal," illustrating the blessings of the Gospel revealing the compassion of God for them and assuring them that all His promises and statements were from God. Of course, no one really knows exactly how good or how large the house was in which Jesus preached, it may however help us to see cuts and plans of Roman houses, built about the time of Christ in the small city of Pompeii, which was destroyed in A.D. 79 by an eruption of Vesuvius.
Scripture Reading: Mark 2:3
2. The Paralytic in the City of Destruction
In another part of the city was a man sick of the palsy, who, having suffered long, had heard of the new prophet with His Gospel of salvation, and His healing power. The palsy, a contraction of paralysis, is here regarded as a complete loss of power in his lower limbs. It is difficult to cure, and even in the best cases progress is slow. If, as sometimes happens, the arms are also paralyzed, these also would be useless, and the subject unable to help himself in any way. It seems probable that this last most serious and hopeless form of disease characterized the case of "one sick of the palsy, who was born of four" (v 3). Nothing is said about the man's character, or about his previous life, or the cause of his illness. There is nothing to show that he was a sinner above other men. But he felt that he was a sinner and needed forgiveness, just as all the audience needed forgiveness, however little they felt their need. Sickness compels us to turn away for a time from the rush and excitement of worldly business and pleasure, and in quietness to look at our hearts and lives. No one on earth lives so perfectly that he is without sin; and if his conscience is sensitive he will feel sin far more deeply than a hardened sinner. To produce this consciousness of spiritual need is one of the blessings of sickness and trouble. The spell of the prophet's goodness was over him. Jesus' thought was not of the palsied limbs, but of the wounded conscience. It may be that old sins were the cause of the palsy; it may be that the smart of conscience in that holy presence was so acute that he could feel nothing else.
3. On the Way to Health
v 3 ... "And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy." The sick man had heard about Jesus, and was determined to go; for he had faith. But he could not go himself. He therefore looked for someone to help him and he found four who were willing to carry him on his light pallet bed. There are no sufferers whose affliction has been hallowed who are not centers of spiritual influence to some friends or neighbors round them. The four had the faith that made them willing to take so much trouble to help a sick friend. There are people in our influence who desperately need the aid of Christian workers before they will ever be saved – a wife, a daughter, a friend, a Bible School teacher, a deacon, a preacher, a student, an elder; all should unite in prayers and labors to bring such to Jesus.
Scripture Reading: Mark 2:4
4. Overcoming Obstacles
The paralytic found the four men to help him, with what persuasion we do not know. When they reached the house, the eager crowds around the door were so dense that entrance could not be made in that way. There were almost no windows, and that was blocked. But they were enterprising men, determined, courageous, and full of faith.
v 4 ... "When they could not come nigh unto him for the press," the crowd, they went up the outside stairs, and
v 4 ... "uncovered the roof" by breaking a hole through it, between the beams. The whole affair was the extemporaneous device of plain peasants, accustomed to opening their roofs, to let down grain, straw, and other articles, as they did in that country during the time of Christ. It is possible, because of this practice, that at least the covering of the court was perhaps made of coarse matting, or boards, or stone slabs that could be quickly removed.
v 4 ... "They let down the bed" with the sick man on it." The roof was so low that they could let down so that those below could receive it, without the aid of ropes, but simply by holding the corners. Luke says they let him down "through the tiles." Luke uses the expression "tiles" because the Romans for whom he was writing used tiles (as in all the preserved Pompeian houses) for their roofs, and "tile" was in their minds equivalent to "roof," so that the picture they made to themselves was that of one let down through the hole in their roofs for letting the rain come into the central basin. Still the common Roman houses may have been thatched.
What is the underlying principle by which we may reproduce the scenes of the past in their detail, and make them living? – That men act always, in similar circumstances, in the same way. In our day, if a crowd really wants to get into a building, that crowd will press and push and jam. If the desire is tremendously intense, they will be rude, and will trample on each other ruthlessly. That is the way such a crowd acts today, therefore that is the way such crowds acted in the time of our Savior. They were absorbed in His teachings, and while every square foot of room inside was occupied, a crowd was packed against the door, listening. At this juncture, down come these four men with their friend. What happened now? Well, what would you do if four of you had a friend on a mattress, and you wanted to get him in? Maybe something like this: "Friends, we want to get in with this sick man. Please make way." But the crowd was too dense. Perhaps one of the four might have said, "Fellows, it's no use. We have got to take him home and try another time." Perhaps one of them replied, "I've brought him this far, I'm going to get him in. Let's take him through the roof." So up to the roof they all go. Picture the audience inside as they hear the ceiling cracking, and every eye looks up instead of at the Preacher. Down comes the man in front of the Master. Now what? Well, you had a man on the floor in front of you, and everyone thought you were going to heal him, what would everyone in the rear of the crowd do? They would certainly rise up instantly, and some would get on chairs, to see. Surely, in that Oriental room, they rose to their feet.
v 5 ... "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee". Now look at the faces, and see what a change. They had all been full of curiosity – now, on the part of some, it is anger.
And four on the roof above? – They were no doubt lying flat on the roof, and if you had looked up from the room inside you would have seen four faces looking down. And when they saw their friend rise and go away, no doubt four faces instantly disappeared, and they went down the staircase much faster than they had gone up ... rushing to greet their friend and praise the Lord.
Scripture Reading: Mark 2:5
5. The Worst Disease Cured First
v 5 ... "When Jesus saw their faith." The faith of the sick man and of his helpers. Faith is not an arbitrary, but the natural and one of the necessary conditions of salvation, as we see illustrated in the miracle before us. And it is becoming more and more clearly recognized as a condition of bodily healing, and of all great success. The paralytic not only believed that Jesus lived, but so believed that he took great pains to go to Jesus. Faith overcame the difficulties in the way. Faith led him to do as Jesus said, and take up what seemed an impossible duty. Faith willing to obey showed the condition of heart and mind which made it safe to grant forgiveness. The faith that loves and chooses God is the beginning step toward heavenly life in the soul. It is useless to forgive those who immediately plunge into sin again.
v 5 ... "He said unto the sick of palsy." The Good Physician probed the secret, the unhealed wound of the soul, the aching of the sense of unforgiven sin: 'Son, I read the story of thy life. I hear the inward cry of thy spirit. I accept the penitence of thy remorse' ...
v 5 ... "Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee."
v 5 ... "Son." Greek "child," implying that the paralytic was a young man; and declaring the outgoing of Jesus' love toward him; and pouring hope and good cheer into his heart, which according to Matthew he spoke more fully in the words "Be of good cheer." Heart touched heart.
Conditions of Forgiveness: There is but one remedy for sin – forgiveness; by man if the crime is against man, by God where the sin is against God, against His physical and His moral law. And there are always certain essential conditions of forgiveness – self-examination, looking the sin honestly, squarely in its hateful face, that we may feel its vileness and degradation. Repentance, a revolt of the will against sin, a moral repugnance that will no longer tolerate it. Confession. "For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me" (Ps. 51:3). Baptism. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Amendment. An honest and full purpose to sin no more. Restoration, so far as it is possible to man, and a contrite heart toward God, that will do all in its power to honor Him, and aid the coming of His kingdom.
Forgiveness: Forgiveness is not a judge's sentence of 'Not Guilty,' but a father's welcome to restored sonship. It is a restoration to life. Our sins check, thwart, destroy the fullness of the spiritual life. They choke the channels through which, from Christ the Source, the Spirit, the Life-giver, fills us with the currents of the true life. When, by obedient repentance, the obstacles are removed, once again the stream of life flows in upon us from the Lord, and we live again.
Scripture Reading: Mark 2:6-12
6. Jesus Proves His Power to Forgive by His Power to Heal
Around the palsied man "certain of the scribes (and Pharisees, Luke) sitting there," (v 6) expressed the doubts which might naturally arise in the sick man's mind ...
v 7 ... "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies?" that is, slander God, speak treason against Him, arrogating to Himself what belonged only to God, thus making God like a mere man. Blasphemy is practically uttered treason against God.
v 7 ... "Who can forgive sins but God only?" Sins are against God, and therefore only God can forgive them; for in the nature of things only he against whom the offense has been committed can forgive. I can forgive the evil done to myself, but I cannot forgive the evil done to you or to my neighbor. He only can forgive that. So the reasoning of the scribes was right: "Only God can forgive sins," but they left out the fact that Jesus was the Son of God.
v 8 ... "Why reason ye." Matthew says, "Wherefore think ye evil?" Why do you misjudge, and put an evil construction on My words?
v 9 ... "Whether is it easier to say," etc. In our Lord's argument it must be carefully noted that He does not ask which is easier, to forgive sins or to raise a sick man; for it could not be affirmed that forgiving is easier than healing: but which is easier to claim, this power or that; to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say, Arise and walk? It would be easier for a man equally ignorant of the French and Chinese languages to claim to know the last than the first. Not that the language itself is easier, but that in the one case multitudes could disprove His claim; in the other, hardly a scholar in the land. Saying, "Thy sins be forgiven thee" could not be put to the proof. But the saying, "Arise and walk," could be tested on the spot. Both were divine acts. He that could do one divine act proved that He had authority and power to do the other.
7. The Paralytic Goes Home Cured
v 10 ... "But that ye may know that the Son of man," the title accepted by the Jews as that of their Messiah King.
v 10 ... "Hath power on earth to forgive sins." The proof lies in God's endorsement of Jesus' claims to be the Messiah. The miracle was the signature of God to His nature and mission.
v 11 ... "Arise." Which would be impossible without a miracle.
v 11 ... "Take up thy bed." The bed was a thin mattress two or three inches thick, and could easily be carried. Jesus' argument was a greater help to the man himself, than to either the Scribes or the multitudes. For it gave him the assurance that his sins were forgiven. He carried the proof in his own person. The demand to take up his bed was a test and proof of the man's obedient faith.
v 12 ... "And immediately he arose." The cure was complete at once; a mark of its miraculous nature.
v 12 ... "Took up the bed." Carrying such a bed rolled up under the arm was an everyday affair.
v 12 ... "Insomuch that they were all amazed." Luke adds, "They were filled with fear." The miracle awakened a religious awe in their minds, such as men ever feel in the presence of a great and mysterious power. Here was One who could read their hearts; and Who would not be afraid if every secret thought were brought to light? Here was One also Who had unlimited power; what might He do to them? But they also saw the goodness of God; His forgiving love; His readiness to help; and this, too, for the sinful and helpless. This was the most amazing thing of all.
v 12 ... "And glorified God." They ascribed the honor and glory to God, as the source of this beneficent power. The good deeds of God's children honor God, and lead the souls of men toward Him (Matt. 5:16).
Forgiveness meant for the palsied man what it meant for Paul: "Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13, 14). It meant a new environment, a new atmosphere in the company of the disciples, and the teaching of Jesus. This is essential to the best growth in grace.
