Mk 2:1-12
1When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. 2Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. 3They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” 6Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, 7“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” 8Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—11he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” 12He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
FAITH AND INTERCESSION: In Capernaum, the reputation of Jesus as a healer spread fast. News traveled fast through the “gossip network.” So when it became known that he was at home (probably in Simon’s house), people flocked to the house, some bringing with them their sick. People then believed that only God could heal; they would see Jesus as God’s “broker,” the dispenser of God’s favor.
Mark mentions “mat” (“bed” in Matthew and Luke) and the “(thatched) roof” (“tiles” in Luke), harking back to the original Palestinian setting where many people were poor. The paralytic is carried by a group of friends. The evangelist notes: “When Jesus saw their faith…” The four friends show confidence and loyalty to Jesus (the basic meaning of “faith”). They trust that Jesus will heal their friend.
The person usually requests for healing or miracle as an act of faith in the power of Jesus. Or Jesus himself inquires about the person’s faith as a condition for the requested miracle. But faith is here shown by the four companions of the paralytic. We are not even sure if the paralytic has faith in Jesus or has simply played along with his friends so as not to offend them by belittling their concern for his welfare. At any rate, Jesus takes into account not just the faith of the paralytic (if he had any) but also the faith of his friends. This tells us that the power of intercession is real and decisive!