The Gospel according to Mark (2:1-12)
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
Reflection: There were so many people coming to Jesus that there was no room for everyone, not even around the door to the house He was in. This is an interesting situation. On a practical note, why wouldn’t Jesus have noticed this dilemma and done something about it? Why not move out into a larger area where everyone could see and hear Him?
Certainly, those who came to listen to Him, even if they could not get in, were greatly rewarded for their faith. This passage reveals a very important spiritual principle. It reveals that the spiritual longing to be near Jesus was, in and of itself, transforming.
We may often find that we long to hear Jesus speak to us, but we cannot seem to hear Him. It may be that He appears silent to us or that we don’t know where to find Him. But we shouldn’t be disheartened if this is our experience. The fact of the matter is that our desire to be with Him is itself a great gift and has the potential to transform our lives.
Action: Take time today to thank God for listening to your prayer. Remember, that you are not the only one bending God’s ear today! Whatever time you spend in prayer asking God to listen to – spend twice as much time listening to God speak to you. Please don’t interrupt His conversation back to you! Let Him be in your heart and soul!
