7th Sunday After the Epiphany
February 19, 2006
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Wieting
Text: Mark 2:1-12
In the Name of Jesus – Amen! When the teacher caught you by surprise in Sunday school, when you heard your name called and realized you hadn’t really listened to the question, when you needed a safe answer, what did you answer? JESUS of course! For as St. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “all the promises of God find their Yes in him.” For most questions about God’s activity, even if it’s not exactly what the teacher is looking for JESUS is a safe answer. Perhaps, with hand raised a bit tentatively or with a little uncertainty in the voice one could more often than not answer – JESUS?
When the questions center on what we need most, on God’s greatest work, on the treasures that Jesus gives, another reliable answer is always THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. When in doubt, when caught off guard, FORGIVENESS OF SINS is a pretty trustworthy response. Even if it isn’t exactly what the teacher is looking for, it is worth mentioning - FORGIVENESS?
We pretty quickly learn the right answers to questions posed in and around church. If we are asked what we really need we know we’d better come up with JESUS and FORGIVENESS. But do you believe it? Do you really trust deep down that if Christ forgives your sins – that’s enough? In the midst of the mess that daily life can be, in view of all that we desire and hope for, is FORGIVENESS an incomparable treasure or just a routine, expected, religious answer?
The life of the man in our text was a mess, for few ailments affect life more negatively than paralysis. He was dependent, not independent. Because he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t work. He had to live off the kindness of others for care and food and cleaning. To add to his suffering was the prospect for change. There was none! Earthly hope for improvement in his condition was non-existent. But then came word of Jesus.
Remember how Jesus had taken the battle to the enemy. With authority He had driven the demon out of the man in the synagogue in Capernaum. After the day of healing at the home of Peter and Andrew the people hunted for Him. “Everyone is looking for you” the disciples admonished. But Jesus responded let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” He didn’t set up a medical clinic in Capernaum. Instead He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Then He touched the untouchable! He gave new life to a walking dead man. “If you will you can make me clean” the leper had implored. “I will, be clean” the Savior responded. Because His fame spread he had to stay out in desolate places. Now, when he returned to Capernaum after some days, the pursuit was on again. So many were gathered at the home where He was that there was no room, not even at the door.
Enter the paralytic. Not on his own power. Not through the door, but through an unsolicited skylight in the homeowners roof. If he had been asked what his greatest need was he might have answered without hesitation, “to walk” or “to work”. He was after all a prisoner in His own body. Now, through the caring work of his friends his body was placed directly in front of Christ. What would He say - this one who taught with authority? What would He do - this one who had healed so many in Capernaum?
We are not told what the crowd did as the cot descended before Jesus. It doesn’t take much imagination, however, to see that this paralyzed man would have been the center of attention. Did you notice that as He is lowered down, no one is recorded as saying a word? The people don’t speak. The paralytic doesn’t speak. His friends don’t speak. Only Jesus speaks! When He does, His words seem both incredible and inappropriate. “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
We aren’t told what expression was on the face of the paralytic, still lying immobile on his mat. We aren’t told what the four men thought as they look on from the rooftop. We are told only what questions the scribes had. Even these questions weren’t spoken but perceived by Jesus in their hearts.
On the pragmatic level, Jesus’ words seem inappropriate, as if He didn’t get it. Couldn’t’ He see what this poor man really needed? We are all caught in fallen bodies in a fallen world. Even those who refuse to recognize sin want out of the consequences of sin such as disease and disability and debt and defeat and depression and death. But Jesus always wants more for us than we want for ourselves! He desires to take us out of sin’s grasp forever. “My Son, your sins are forgiven.”
On the spiritual level, Jesus’ words were incredible. There was no precedent for what He had just done. Forgiveness is the business of God alone. No one in history had had the authority to say what Jesus just said; none of the prophets, not even Moses. Forgiveness was God’s business! Were Jesus not God in the flesh the scribes would have been right in their reasoning that He was blaspheming. After all, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Because they could not see the forgiveness of sins and did not believe that it was real, Jesus gave them visible proof of His authority. “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 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!”
What the people said was true! There had never been God on earth in human flesh before to release us sinners from sin and sickness. Yet in the face of paralyzing sickness the Son of Man placed first the forgiveness of sins. In the era of salvation, release from sins will take precedence over everything else. Our Lutheran Confessions could not be more right then when they say that the chief worship of God in the Gospel is the desire to receive the forgiveness of sins. Luther had it exactly right when he understood the meaning of Gottesdienst (The Divine Service) as primarily God’s service to us. “My son, my daughter, your sins are forgiven”
Do you believe it? No one is letting you down by ropes from the roof this morning, but they should if there was no room in this house of worship. For Jesus is here among you no less than in that house in Capernaum. He is not visibly present, but He is bodily present, God and Man! His healing gift-giving priority has not changed, “My Son, my daughter your sins are forgiven.” In Holy Baptism His forgiveness raised you from the paralyzing death of unbelief to the eternal life of faith. That you may know that the Son of Man still has power on earth to forgive sins, He now says to you, “take and drink for the remission of sins.”
Is that what you’re looking for? It doesn’t seem that most people are really looking for forgiveness these days! Happiness, fulfillment, healing, “yes”! But perhaps God has given up on the whole wrath and judgment thing. Maybe “forgiveness” is a dead word! Maybe we are being deadened to our need for God’s forgiveness! Although Christ teaches us to pray for it daily, is that really what we’re looking for here?
Dear Christian, there is nothing the devil works harder to remove from your heart, to steal from you. Satan is fine with you looking in religious ways for meaning and purpose and importance to God as long as you don’t find it in receiving God’s forgiveness in Christ. Is that really what you’re looking for today in this house of worship? Knowing the right answers isn’t enough – JESUS – FORGIVENESS! More than healing from paralysis, more than earthly life itself, you need Jesus’ forgiveness. And more than anything else, Jesus wants you to know He still has authority on earth to forgive sins.
It is good to examine your heart for Jesus knows your inner thoughts just as He knew the questions in the scribes’ hearts in Capernaum. He knows that our hearts can be paralyzed by such diverse things as pride or fear, ambition or apathy, bitterness or loneliness. He knows that sometimes our hearts would trade the forgiveness of sins for something else we want at the drop of a hat. We are caught in fallen bodies in a fallen world and we want out of the consequences right now. But Jesus wants to take us out of sin’s grasp forever, even the paralyzing grip of death.
That’s why He was in this house, hemmed in, surrounded by people, preaching the Word to them. Soon He would be hemmed in by all the consequences of our sin! No miracle of Jesus makes it clearer that His acts of healing point to the ultimate release of the forgiveness of sins. In this miracle He begins to plant in human hearts the fact that He is God in the flesh. Two questions in the house help us understand. Jesus’ question “Which is easier?”, and the scribes question, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
“Which is easier?” Certainly not the provision of forgiveness for us rebels. Our forgiveness took the Holy and perfect God to come in the flesh! Our forgiveness took Him to shoulder the paralyzing load of sin that we carry. That load was so binding that He endured a crucifying paralysis in our stead. His feet which had journeyed up to Jerusalem were fixed immovable in place. His hands which had healed and helped so many were fastened tightly in place. They were driven through and pinioned to the tree of the cross. There were no friends to carry Him until they carried His dead body to a garden tomb.
“Which is easier?” “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Indeed, who is a God like Him, who came to release us by being bound under the damning consequences of our sin? He redeems our life from the pit by joining us in the pit. He removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west by becoming sin for us. He blots out our transgressions by being blotted out of God’s presence under His burning wrath. “Which is easier?” Certainly not our forgiveness! Who is a God like Him?
Who is a God like Him who could not be bound by death? Who is a God like the living Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit brings you His forgiveness today? Who is Savior like Him, the eternal Son, who speaks God’s “yes” to every promise that God has made. He does it by forgiving your sins! This is the core of the Gospel! His forgiveness does not come to you in fractions! God has done a new thing in Christ! There is nothing higher or better than what He is present now to give you! “My son, my daughter, your sins are forgiven.”
Beloved, nothing pleases Jesus more than when burdened hearts come to Him for release and rest. Blessed are the paralyzed, for they shall be healed. Nothing pleases Jesus more than when parents bring children to Holy Baptism to receive His healing forgiveness. Nothing pleases Jesus more than when friends invite friends and family into His presence with His gathered people. Nothing pleases Jesus more than when His people are serious and persistent at digging through every barrier and obstacle to receive His healing gifts each week.
God grant us the faith of the paralytic who received the freeing word of Jesus. God grant us the faith of His four friends that gives the highest priority to bring others into His healing presence. “Bless the Lord, O my soul…all that is within me, bless His holy name...who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.” In Jesus Name, AMEN.
Rev. Dr. Kenneth Wieting
Text: Mark 2:1-12
In the Name of Jesus – Amen! When the teacher caught you by surprise in Sunday school, when you heard your name called and realized you hadn’t really listened to the question, when you needed a safe answer, what did you answer? JESUS of course! For as St. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “all the promises of God find their Yes in him.” For most questions about God’s activity, even if it’s not exactly what the teacher is looking for JESUS is a safe answer. Perhaps, with hand raised a bit tentatively or with a little uncertainty in the voice one could more often than not answer – JESUS?
When the questions center on what we need most, on God’s greatest work, on the treasures that Jesus gives, another reliable answer is always THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. When in doubt, when caught off guard, FORGIVENESS OF SINS is a pretty trustworthy response. Even if it isn’t exactly what the teacher is looking for, it is worth mentioning - FORGIVENESS?
We pretty quickly learn the right answers to questions posed in and around church. If we are asked what we really need we know we’d better come up with JESUS and FORGIVENESS. But do you believe it? Do you really trust deep down that if Christ forgives your sins – that’s enough? In the midst of the mess that daily life can be, in view of all that we desire and hope for, is FORGIVENESS an incomparable treasure or just a routine, expected, religious answer?
The life of the man in our text was a mess, for few ailments affect life more negatively than paralysis. He was dependent, not independent. Because he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t work. He had to live off the kindness of others for care and food and cleaning. To add to his suffering was the prospect for change. There was none! Earthly hope for improvement in his condition was non-existent. But then came word of Jesus.
Remember how Jesus had taken the battle to the enemy. With authority He had driven the demon out of the man in the synagogue in Capernaum. After the day of healing at the home of Peter and Andrew the people hunted for Him. “Everyone is looking for you” the disciples admonished. But Jesus responded let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” He didn’t set up a medical clinic in Capernaum. Instead He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Then He touched the untouchable! He gave new life to a walking dead man. “If you will you can make me clean” the leper had implored. “I will, be clean” the Savior responded. Because His fame spread he had to stay out in desolate places. Now, when he returned to Capernaum after some days, the pursuit was on again. So many were gathered at the home where He was that there was no room, not even at the door.
Enter the paralytic. Not on his own power. Not through the door, but through an unsolicited skylight in the homeowners roof. If he had been asked what his greatest need was he might have answered without hesitation, “to walk” or “to work”. He was after all a prisoner in His own body. Now, through the caring work of his friends his body was placed directly in front of Christ. What would He say - this one who taught with authority? What would He do - this one who had healed so many in Capernaum?
We are not told what the crowd did as the cot descended before Jesus. It doesn’t take much imagination, however, to see that this paralyzed man would have been the center of attention. Did you notice that as He is lowered down, no one is recorded as saying a word? The people don’t speak. The paralytic doesn’t speak. His friends don’t speak. Only Jesus speaks! When He does, His words seem both incredible and inappropriate. “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
We aren’t told what expression was on the face of the paralytic, still lying immobile on his mat. We aren’t told what the four men thought as they look on from the rooftop. We are told only what questions the scribes had. Even these questions weren’t spoken but perceived by Jesus in their hearts.
On the pragmatic level, Jesus’ words seem inappropriate, as if He didn’t get it. Couldn’t’ He see what this poor man really needed? We are all caught in fallen bodies in a fallen world. Even those who refuse to recognize sin want out of the consequences of sin such as disease and disability and debt and defeat and depression and death. But Jesus always wants more for us than we want for ourselves! He desires to take us out of sin’s grasp forever. “My Son, your sins are forgiven.”
On the spiritual level, Jesus’ words were incredible. There was no precedent for what He had just done. Forgiveness is the business of God alone. No one in history had had the authority to say what Jesus just said; none of the prophets, not even Moses. Forgiveness was God’s business! Were Jesus not God in the flesh the scribes would have been right in their reasoning that He was blaspheming. After all, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Because they could not see the forgiveness of sins and did not believe that it was real, Jesus gave them visible proof of His authority. “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic – “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 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!”
What the people said was true! There had never been God on earth in human flesh before to release us sinners from sin and sickness. Yet in the face of paralyzing sickness the Son of Man placed first the forgiveness of sins. In the era of salvation, release from sins will take precedence over everything else. Our Lutheran Confessions could not be more right then when they say that the chief worship of God in the Gospel is the desire to receive the forgiveness of sins. Luther had it exactly right when he understood the meaning of Gottesdienst (The Divine Service) as primarily God’s service to us. “My son, my daughter, your sins are forgiven”
Do you believe it? No one is letting you down by ropes from the roof this morning, but they should if there was no room in this house of worship. For Jesus is here among you no less than in that house in Capernaum. He is not visibly present, but He is bodily present, God and Man! His healing gift-giving priority has not changed, “My Son, my daughter your sins are forgiven.” In Holy Baptism His forgiveness raised you from the paralyzing death of unbelief to the eternal life of faith. That you may know that the Son of Man still has power on earth to forgive sins, He now says to you, “take and drink for the remission of sins.”
Is that what you’re looking for? It doesn’t seem that most people are really looking for forgiveness these days! Happiness, fulfillment, healing, “yes”! But perhaps God has given up on the whole wrath and judgment thing. Maybe “forgiveness” is a dead word! Maybe we are being deadened to our need for God’s forgiveness! Although Christ teaches us to pray for it daily, is that really what we’re looking for here?
Dear Christian, there is nothing the devil works harder to remove from your heart, to steal from you. Satan is fine with you looking in religious ways for meaning and purpose and importance to God as long as you don’t find it in receiving God’s forgiveness in Christ. Is that really what you’re looking for today in this house of worship? Knowing the right answers isn’t enough – JESUS – FORGIVENESS! More than healing from paralysis, more than earthly life itself, you need Jesus’ forgiveness. And more than anything else, Jesus wants you to know He still has authority on earth to forgive sins.
It is good to examine your heart for Jesus knows your inner thoughts just as He knew the questions in the scribes’ hearts in Capernaum. He knows that our hearts can be paralyzed by such diverse things as pride or fear, ambition or apathy, bitterness or loneliness. He knows that sometimes our hearts would trade the forgiveness of sins for something else we want at the drop of a hat. We are caught in fallen bodies in a fallen world and we want out of the consequences right now. But Jesus wants to take us out of sin’s grasp forever, even the paralyzing grip of death.
That’s why He was in this house, hemmed in, surrounded by people, preaching the Word to them. Soon He would be hemmed in by all the consequences of our sin! No miracle of Jesus makes it clearer that His acts of healing point to the ultimate release of the forgiveness of sins. In this miracle He begins to plant in human hearts the fact that He is God in the flesh. Two questions in the house help us understand. Jesus’ question “Which is easier?”, and the scribes question, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
“Which is easier?” Certainly not the provision of forgiveness for us rebels. Our forgiveness took the Holy and perfect God to come in the flesh! Our forgiveness took Him to shoulder the paralyzing load of sin that we carry. That load was so binding that He endured a crucifying paralysis in our stead. His feet which had journeyed up to Jerusalem were fixed immovable in place. His hands which had healed and helped so many were fastened tightly in place. They were driven through and pinioned to the tree of the cross. There were no friends to carry Him until they carried His dead body to a garden tomb.
“Which is easier?” “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Indeed, who is a God like Him, who came to release us by being bound under the damning consequences of our sin? He redeems our life from the pit by joining us in the pit. He removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west by becoming sin for us. He blots out our transgressions by being blotted out of God’s presence under His burning wrath. “Which is easier?” Certainly not our forgiveness! Who is a God like Him?
Who is a God like Him who could not be bound by death? Who is a God like the living Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit brings you His forgiveness today? Who is Savior like Him, the eternal Son, who speaks God’s “yes” to every promise that God has made. He does it by forgiving your sins! This is the core of the Gospel! His forgiveness does not come to you in fractions! God has done a new thing in Christ! There is nothing higher or better than what He is present now to give you! “My son, my daughter, your sins are forgiven.”
Beloved, nothing pleases Jesus more than when burdened hearts come to Him for release and rest. Blessed are the paralyzed, for they shall be healed. Nothing pleases Jesus more than when parents bring children to Holy Baptism to receive His healing forgiveness. Nothing pleases Jesus more than when friends invite friends and family into His presence with His gathered people. Nothing pleases Jesus more than when His people are serious and persistent at digging through every barrier and obstacle to receive His healing gifts each week.
God grant us the faith of the paralytic who received the freeing word of Jesus. God grant us the faith of His four friends that gives the highest priority to bring others into His healing presence. “Bless the Lord, O my soul…all that is within me, bless His holy name...who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.” In Jesus Name, AMEN.
posted by Luther Memorial Chapel at
2/23/2006
