Life of Christ Lesson 23a: A Paralytic, Forgiven and Healed

In the next two recorded events of Christ's life, He demonstrated His absolute authority and power to forgive sins (a paralytic) and to save (a publican). In this lesson, we look at His forgiveness and healing of a paralytic. After His first Galilean tour, Jesus returned to His headquarter city of Capernaum. He was likely back in Peter's house, which soon filled with people wanting to see and hear Him. There was a paralytic who was beloved so well by four of his friends that they carried him to see Jesus, hoping he would be healed. When they got to the house, it was so crowded, the determined friends made a whole in the roof to lower their friend down to Jesus. The innovation and persistence and love of the friends paid off, for Jesus did heal their friend, but first and foremost, He forgave the man of his sins! Some scribes and Pharisees, who heard and witnessed the whole episode - and saw the paralytic get up and walk, asked the right question (although with the wrong motive). They asked, "Who can forgive sins but God only?" (Mark 2:7)! THAT was the point! Jesus is God!