Mark 2:1–12
1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
As we saw yesterday Mark here contrasts the lack of action and response from the crowd with the action of the paralytic and his friends. He gives no indication the crowd believed him. He only gives the negative interactions with the scribes. Which is the beginning of the challenges he will face from the religious leaders. This opposition theme will continue to intensify throughout the gospel.
Jesus applauds the paralytic and his friends for their faith. Note, Mark doesn't record them saying a word at this point. Their faith isn't evidenced by their words, which can be misleading and fickle, instead it is evidenced by their actions. These guys will stop at nothing to get their friend to Jesus because they know that Jesus can heal him. They'll even tear apart a roof to get their friend to Jesus. Jesus doesn't respond by chastising them for the destruction of property or the inconvenience caused the crowd or the homeowner. Instead, he applauds their faith expressed in this determined effort to get to him.
James expresses this idea well: "Faith, by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead." (James 2:17) So genuine faith will inspire action in us.