Experience the Gospel of MarkSample

Get up and Walk!

Like the leper in the previous chapter, the paralyzed man, and his friends, have incredible faith that Jesus has the power to heal him. After a very dramatic entrance, Jesus says something that surprises, and frustrates, some people in attendance. He tells him, “Son, I forgive your sins.” What prompts Jesus to say this? Forgiveness is not what the man had come for---he just wanted the ability to walk! Jesus’ stunning response, however, highlights two truths:

1. Our greatest need is spiritual, not physical. While this man certainly has a great physical need, Jesus’ first priority is to forgive the man of his sins and to set his soul right with God. In other words, what good is it to walk physically if you are not walking spiritually with God?
2. Jesus is indeed God! Who else can offer forgiveness of sins? Perhaps there were others in the region that could heal people. While astounding, it most likely would not have been the first time this crowd saw a healing. This crowd, however, had never heard someone speak with such authority. Jesus wants to do more than just amaze the crowd, he wants them to know that He indeed is God. The Message phrases it like this: “Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.”

Bottom Line: Jesus wants to do more than just meet our physical needs; he wants to heal our souls as well!

Experience- Think of the top five basic human needs.

How many of the needs you thought of are “physical” needs? Things like a house, health, or clothes?

Why do you think it is easier for us to consider our physical needs before our spiritual needs?

In addition to things like clothes and food, we have spiritual and emotional needs. We all have a need to be loved by God and others. We need strength to get through hard times. We need courage to do the right thing. We need peace when life is stressful. While less obvious, our spiritual needs are just as real as our physical needs.

What spiritual need do you have today? Pray and ask God to meet this need.