Mark 2:1-12 - Desperate or Doubtful?

C.S. Lewis, in his classic work Mere Christianity, presents a powerful argument about the identity of Jesus. He challenges the common claim that Jesus was merely a great moral teacher but not God. Lewis argues that such a position is not an option Jesus left open to us. A man who claimed what Jesus did—declaring the authority to forgive sins, equating Himself with God—would not be a great teacher if He were not telling the truth. He would either be a liar, knowingly deceiving people, a lunatic with delusions of grandeur, or He is, in fact, the Lord. The question remains for each of us: Who do we say that Jesus is?

This question is at the heart of an encounter in Capernaum recorded in Mark 2. Jesus, returning home after a season of ministry, is met with a massive crowd eager to hear Him teach. Among them, four friends carry a paralyzed man, desperate to bring him to Jesus. With no way through the packed house, they take an extraordinary step—tearing open the roof and lowering their friend to the feet of Christ. Their faith is met with an unexpected response. Instead of healing the man’s body immediately, Jesus declares, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” This statement shocks the religious leaders present, for they know that only God has the authority to forgive sins. In their hearts, they accuse Jesus of blasphemy. But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, asks, “Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’?” To prove His authority, He does both—the man rises and walks out, fully restored.

This moment reveals the contrast between two kinds of responses to Jesus: desperate faith and prideful doubt. The paralyzed man and his friends show faith that is both persistent and sacrificial. They remove every obstacle to get to Jesus, knowing that He alone offers true healing. In contrast, the religious leaders, though theologically informed, refuse to see their own need for forgiveness. Their pride blinds them to the reality before them—God in the flesh, extending mercy. Jesus’ authority is undeniable, but the heart’s posture determines whether one receives or resists His grace. Are we like the paralytic and his friends, coming to Jesus in humility and dependence? Or are we like the scribes, keeping our distance in skepticism and self-righteousness?

Ultimately, the authority of Jesus to forgive sins is secured by His own sacrificial death and resurrection. The paralytic’s healing foreshadows a greater reality—Jesus would become the ultimate substitute, taking the weight of sin upon Himself. He was not merely paralyzed but nailed to a cross, bearing the full wrath of God for our sake. Yet, just as the paralytic was lifted from his mat, Jesus was lifted from the grave, conquering sin and death. He now offers new life to all who come to Him in desperate faith. The question remains: Will you approach Him in humble desperation, ready to receive His grace? Or will you remain in doubt, missing the very hope He freely gives? Let us not be like the scribes who resisted, but like the friends who tore through every barrier to bring someone to Jesus. If He is Lord, then desperate faith should be our response.

Main Point – See The Depths of Jesus’ mercy and approach him in desperation, not in doubt.