Mark 2:2-5 commentary: forgiven and healed

2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

There are several points that can be made here.

You can’t get to God of your own strength. Notice also that the people, the world, are hindering him from getting to Christ. The media will lie to keep you from the truth. So called educators will lie to you to keep you from the truth. Popular culture will lie to you to keep you from the truth. Religious leaders will lie to you to keep you from the truth. Politicians will lie to you to keep you from the truth. Your family, your employer, and your own flesh will lie to you to keep you from the truth. But, a true friend will do whatever it takes to bring you closer to Christ even if it means tearing off the roof.

Another thing is that salvation is at the feet of Jesus Christ. Finally, salvation is immediate. You get to Christ, recognizing you are a helpless sinner, and He’ll save you immediately. Christ responds to faith. And I’d also say that if you read THIS Bible, believing, and expecting Christ to do something to you and for you and through you, just watch Him work. He will be glorified through you to the end of the salvation of others who see your faith and its results.

Christ healed the body and the soul. If you notice, here there were many people who came to hear Christ preach but only one sought to be healed and was forgiven. There are a great many so-called Christians who come to hear the message but very few who want to be healed.

Spiritual healing precedes physical healing here. Will you come to be forgiven and healed? In the early, predominantly Jewish, Apostolic church and again in the Great Tribulation to come notice in the book of James, written to Jewish Christians in both of those times, how close spiritual healing and forgiveness are intertwined with physical healing.

James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.