6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat 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 tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Shock waves spread throughout the crowds – including the teachers of the law – as the paralytic picked up his mat and walked home. What a dramatic scene – leaving those present both wide-eyed and wide mouthed! A miraculous event had just occurred – something too hard for mere man to accomplish – the finger marks of God smeared all over the healing. I am reminded of God’s Word to Sarah in Genesis when she laughed out loud upon hearing she would have a son in her ripe old age:
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." Gen 18:13-14 (NIV)
Considering our limitations, isn’t it comforting to know that nothing is too hard for God?
“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” Thomas V. Moore
Offended by Jesus’ Words of forgiveness, those Scribes present - in a surly and contemptuous tone - regarded our Lord as a blasphemer - a severe and sinful affront, punishable by death from stoning. Immediately knowing their thoughts (why of course He did!) – Jesus confronts their hostile accusations. Over and over again in Scripture we are told our Lord knew the thoughts of those around Him – He needs no human help in evaluating men – He was aware of what was in a man – that is why He came for heaven sake – to give us back life. John tells us:
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25 He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. John 2:23-25 (NIV)
God’s powers are inseparable - the One who could know the thoughts of men could certainly forgive sins as well as heal the lame. Wrong thoughts of talk being cheap, saying surely easier than doing swirled around through the heads of the teachers of the law surmising our Lord had claimed to forgive sins because it was easier than healing. They were about to have the proverbial pie in their faces when in a blinking of an eye - in obedience to Jesus’ Word - the paralytic ups and walks home. Our Lord proves His power to forgive sins by demonstrating His power to heal. There could be no doubt in their minds that the Son of Man possessed the achieving power He rightly espoused. I love the way Jesus insightfully checks these Scribes in the error of their ways. Unfortunately for them, the Truth turned them harder because they were simply unwilling to embrace it. The Prophet Isaiah gives us these comforting words:
25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)
Micah increases our encouragement by adding:
18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. Micah 7:18 (NIV)
“Salvation means that we are brought to the place where we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, namely, forgiveness of sins... Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace.” Oswald Chambers
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 (NIV)
This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Mark 2:12B