To read the texts click on the texts: Heb 4:1,5,11; Mk 2:1-12
The text of today is a pronouncement story, which also contains
a miracle. A pronouncement story is one in which the saying of Jesus is the
central point. Some pronouncement stories contain miracles, whereas others do
not (2:23-27). In the story of today, it seems that Mark has converted an
original miracle story in which a paralytic is healed into a pronouncement
story (by inserting the dialogue between Jesus and the scribes after the words,
“said to the paralytic” found in 2:5a, and repeating them in 2:10b), to bring
out the point that Jesus has the authority like God to forgive sin. In his
challenge to the scribes, Jesus is able to prove that he has this authority to
forgive, because he has been able to heal the man completely. Mark might also
be indicating that Jesus wanted total healing for the man rather than just
physical healing. The response of the crowds is of amazement.
We come across here for the first time a “Son on Man” saying,
which is used for the second time in 2:28 and after that only from the Passion
and resurrection predictions in Mark (8:31; 9:31; 10:33;
14:62). Characters in the Gospels never use this expression to describe
Jesus or refer to him; rather Jesus uses it of himself. While the expression
could be used to mean a human being, it seems that the evangelists intend the
expression to refer to Jesus’ special status. Here, he has special authority
and that to forgive sin.
Our own psychological paralysis is often connected with our lack
of forgiveness and keeping feelings of bitterness, anger and the like in our
hearts and minds. One of the keys to wholeness and good health is forgiveness.
We must forgive because it is good for our health.
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