The Authority of the Son of Man

Summary: As we continue our study through the miracles of Jesus from the gospel of Mark we come now to the healing of the paralytic. We have seen that the miracles are done for a purpose - to show that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He has done what God alone could do. He has cast out an unclean spirit, healed many people (including Simon's mother in law), and cleansed a man of leprosy. In each case we have seen that his miracles operate like signs pointing us to our greatest need. While the people who were healed received improved quality of life, their greatest need was not healing, but to be restored to a righteous relationship with God. Their greatest need was the forgiveness of their sins.

In the healing of the paralytic this could not be clearer. The miracle begins with Jesus forgiving the paralytic's sins and ends with Jesus telling him to get up and walk. The emphasis is obvious: sin is more deadly than paralysis. After he forgives the man's sin, the scribes accuse him of blasphemy. In response to their doubts, Jesus heals the paralytic, making clear that they are in the presence of God.