The Jesus Mark Wants You to Know - 28 Days to Become More Intimate With JesusSample

Day 7 - Mark 2:1-17

Authority to Forgive and Heal

After His travels throughout the region of Galilee, Jesus goes back to His hometown Capernaum. Word of His miraculous healings had spread everywhere. As a result, more people were coming to Him and bringing their friends in need of healing.

When they brought Jesus a paralyzed man, He first offered forgiveness for the man’s sins. Some of the teachers of the law were horrified and accused Jesus of blasphemy. But rather than argue for His authority, He simply proved it by healing the paralyzed man.

As we will see later in this gospel, Jesus grants His followers the same authority to heal and to deliver. But it wasn’t just for them 2,000 years ago, this same authority has been graciously given to His followers to this very day.

Shortly after this incident, Jesus calls Matthew, a despised tax collector, to be His follower. So, Matthew gathers his friends together and throws a party for Jesus. Once again, the critics accuse Jesus of associating with disreputable sinners, to which He responds, “I’m here not for those who think they are righteous but for those who know they are sinners.”

Take a moment right now and thank the Lord Jesus that He has forgiven you, a sinner. And thank Him that as His follower, you have been given the authority to heal the sick and reach out to sinners with the forgiveness and love of Jesus.