Mark 2:1-12
Copied/Adapted from "Will the Real JESUS please stand up?" by Mark E. Ashton (1992)
If you could do any one thing for a crippled man, what would it be? Why?
Background
Jesus has gotten some of the 12 disciples at this point. He has traveled to Capernaum and then all around Galilee, teaching and speaking with people. He has now returned to Capernaum.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He was then taken to Egypt to wait out Herod. His family returned to Israel after Herod died, and went to Nazareth, in Galilee. Now, at this point in the story, Capernaum is considered home.
Read Mark 2:1-12
Imagine you are in the building where Jesus was speaking. Describe the sights, smells, sounds, and emotions of the atmosphere in there.
Where is everyone's attention focused?
What are the people's attitudes towards Jesus?
What extreme lengths were the friends willing to go in order to get the paralytic to Jesus?
What does this tell you about their attitude toward Jesus?
Judging by Jesus reaction, what did he see as the paralytics greatest need?
Do people today have this same need?
In what way?
What does it mean to have your sins forgiven?
Why were the teachers of the law upset?
What was the implication of Jesus' presumption that He could forgive a man's sins?
"Teachers of the law" -- Those who taught the Jewish law; both secular and religious law. See Mark 1:22. Jesus teaches in the synagogue and is compared to a teacher of the law.
By claiming to have the power to forgive all of man's sins, who was Jesus claiming to be?
In v9 Jesus asks a rhetorical question, "Which is easier to say..." Of the two options, which will be easier to see whether it came true or not?
Does this action show Jesus to have the power and authority to forgive sins?
Does this passage lead you to believe Jesus does have the authority to forgive sins?
Note: Jesus rather clearly labels Himself as Son of Man here.