The Healing of the Paralytic: Difference between revisions

From 2nd Book
Jump to navigationJump to search

The Healing of the Paralytic (view source)

Revision as of 10:11, 28 March 2025

6,228 bytes added ,  28 March
no edit summary
No edit summary
 
(5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 37: Line 37:
|“Man, your sins are forgiven.”
|“Man, your sins are forgiven.”
|-
|-
|'''Scribes’ Reaction'''
|'''Scribes’ Reaction [1]'''
|“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
|“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
|Same, but Luke emphasizes their '''internal reasoning''' rather than spoken words
|Same, but Luke emphasizes their '''internal reasoning''' rather than spoken words
Line 74: Line 74:
##* '''Genesis 3:17-19''' – Adam’s sin brought '''toil, suffering, and death''', which left humanity in a spiritually paralyzed state.
##* '''Genesis 3:17-19''' – Adam’s sin brought '''toil, suffering, and death''', which left humanity in a spiritually paralyzed state.
##* The paralytic’s inability to move reflects the '''consequence of sin''', and Christ’s healing mirrors the '''reversal of the curse''' (Romans 5:12-19).
##* The paralytic’s inability to move reflects the '''consequence of sin''', and Christ’s healing mirrors the '''reversal of the curse''' (Romans 5:12-19).
##'''The Four Who Carried the Paralytic = Four Rivers of Eden'''  
##'''The Four Who Carried the Paralytic = Four Rivers of Eden (Prophet, Judge, Priest, King)'''  
##* '''Genesis 2:10-14''' – The four rivers flowing from Eden may symbolize '''the means of restoring life'''.
##* '''Genesis 2:10-14''' – The four rivers flowing from Eden may symbolize '''the four 'voices' of God as the means of restoring life'''.
##* The '''four friends lowering the paralytic''' could symbolize the '''restoration of fallen man''', as they bring him back to the presence of Christ, the true source of life.
##* The '''four friends lowering the paralytic''' could symbolize the '''the word leading men''', as they bring him back to the presence of Christ, the true source of life.
##'''Jacob’s Ladder (Genesis 28:12-13) and the Roof Opening'''  
##'''Jacob’s Ladder (Genesis 28:12-13) and the Roof Opening'''  
##* '''Genesis 28:12''' – Jacob sees a '''ladder''' reaching from earth to heaven, where angels ascend and descend.
##* '''Genesis 28:12''' – Jacob sees a '''ladder''' reaching from earth to heaven, where angels ascend and descend.
Line 113: Line 113:
* The '''paralyzed man represents fallen humanity''', unable to move toward God.
* The '''paralyzed man represents fallen humanity''', unable to move toward God.
* The '''friends symbolize the prophets, the Law, or even the Gospels''', carrying humanity to Christ.
* The '''friends symbolize the prophets, the Law, or even the Gospels''', carrying humanity to Christ.
* The '''crowd blocking the way represents barriers like sin, legalism, and unbelief''' that must be overcome.
* The '''crowd blocking the way represents barriers like the flesh: sin, legalism, and unbelief''' that must be overcome.


=== '''B. The Roof as the Veil Being Torn''' ===
=== '''B. The Roof as the Veil Being Torn''' ===
Line 127: Line 127:
=== '''D. The Man’s Healing as Resurrection Life''' ===
=== '''D. The Man’s Healing as Resurrection Life''' ===


* Jesus tells the man to '''rise and walk'''—a picture of '''spiritual resurrection'''.
* Jesus tells the man to '''rise and walk'''—a picture of '''life in spiritual resurrection'''.
* The '''man glorifying God''' foreshadows the '''new life of believers after salvation'''.
* The '''man glorifying God''' foreshadows the '''new life of believers after salvation'''.
* In '''Luke, the added fear''' suggests the world’s '''shock at the revelation of grace'''.
* In '''Luke, the added fear''' suggests the world’s '''shock at the revelation of grace'''.
Line 183: Line 183:
* '''Psalm 103:2-3''': “Bless the Lord… who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.”
* '''Psalm 103:2-3''': “Bless the Lord… who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.”
* '''Daniel 7:13-14''': The "Son of Man" comes with authority—mirrored in Jesus' '''authority to forgive sins'''.
* '''Daniel 7:13-14''': The "Son of Man" comes with authority—mirrored in Jesus' '''authority to forgive sins'''.
== [1] ==
Luke’s emphasis on '''internal reasoning''' rather than '''spoken words''' could be inspired by passages in '''Genesis''' that highlight the '''thoughts of the heart''' and God’s ability to discern them. Here are some key possibilities:
=== '''1. Genesis 6:5 – The Thoughts of Man’s Heart Are Evil''' ===
''"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every '''imagination of the thoughts of his heart''' was only evil continually."''
* This passage shows that sin is not just in '''external actions''' but in the '''hidden thoughts of the heart'''.
* Luke, emphasizing the '''scribes’ inner reasoning''', may be showing how their rejection of Christ is like the '''corruption of the pre-flood world''', where men refused to acknowledge God.
=== '''2. Genesis 18:12-13 – Sarah’s Internal Doubt''' ===
''"Therefore Sarah laughed '''within herself''', saying, ‘After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?’ And the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I surely bear a child, which am old?’”''
* Sarah '''doubted in her heart''' but did not speak aloud.
* Yet, God '''perceived her thoughts''' and exposed them.
* This parallels how Jesus, in Luke’s account, '''perceives the scribes' silent doubts''' and calls them out.
=== '''3. Genesis 27:41-42 – Esau’s Hidden Hatred''' ===
''"And Esau said in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.’ And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah."''
* Esau '''conceives hatred in his heart''', but it is '''still made known'''—just as Jesus reveals the scribes’ silent objections.
* This reflects how the '''scribes’ unspoken resistance''' to Jesus foreshadows the ultimate rejection leading to the cross.
=== '''Why Would These Passages Influence Luke?''' ===
* '''Luke’s theme''' often focuses on the '''thoughts of the heart''' and how Christ reveals them (Luke 2:35, Luke 7:39).
* These Genesis passages show that '''God has always judged thoughts''', not just actions.
* Luke’s choice to emphasize '''internal reasoning''' rather than '''spoken words''' fits with his pattern of showing Christ as the '''one who discerns hearts''', just as God did in Genesis.
== '''Group Study Guide: The Healing of the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12 & Luke 5:17-26)''' ==
'''Scripture Passages:'''
* Mark 2:1-12
* Luke 5:17-26
----
=== '''Opening Discussion:''' ===
* Have you ever faced obstacles in your faith journey? How did you overcome them?
* What does it mean to be spiritually “paralyzed”?
----
=== '''Part 1: Observing the Passage''' ===
'''Read Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26 aloud.'''
==== '''Common Elements in Both Accounts:''' ====
# '''Setting''' – Jesus is teaching in a house filled with people.
# '''The Paralytic is Brought to Jesus''' – His friends lower him through the roof due to the crowd.
# '''Jesus’ Words of Forgiveness''' – Before healing, Jesus declares the man’s sins forgiven.
# '''Religious Leaders Object''' – They accuse Jesus of blasphemy, thinking only God can forgive sins.
# '''Jesus Challenges Their Thinking''' – He asks whether it is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven” or “Rise and walk.”
# '''Jesus Heals the Paralytic''' – The man rises and walks as proof of Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.
# '''The Crowd Reacts''' – People glorify God, amazed at what they have witnessed.
==== '''Differences Between Mark and Luke:''' ====
{| class="wikitable"
!Feature
!Mark 2:1-12
!Luke 5:17-26
|-
|'''Setting'''
|House in Capernaum
|House with Pharisees & teachers present
|-
|'''Audience'''
|Crowd, some scribes present
|Pharisees and teachers from various regions (Judea, Jerusalem, Galilee)
|-
|'''How the Man Arrives'''
|Lowered through the roof by four friends
|Same, but Luke adds more details on crowd obstruction
|-
|'''Jesus’ Initial Words'''
|“Son, your sins are forgiven.”
|“Man, your sins are forgiven.”
|-
|'''Scribes’ Reaction'''
|“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
|Internal reasoning emphasized instead of spoken words
|-
|'''Healing Demonstration'''
|“Get up, take your mat, and walk.”
|Same, but Luke adds that the man left glorifying God.
|-
|'''Response of the Crowd'''
|Amazed and glorifies God
|Amazed, filled with fear, and says, “We have seen strange things today.”
|}
----
=== '''Part 2: Understanding the Message''' ===
==== '''1. Jesus’ Authority to Forgive Sins''' ====
* Why does Jesus forgive the paralytic before healing him?
* How does this challenge the religious leaders’ understanding of God?
==== '''2. The Role of Faith''' ====
* What does the persistence of the paralytic’s friends teach us about faith?
* How does faith remove obstacles that block access to Jesus?
==== '''3. The Pharisees’ Internal Resistance''' ====
* Why did they struggle to accept Jesus’ authority?
* How does Luke’s emphasis on their internal reasoning relate to our own doubts and struggles?
==== '''4. The Reaction of the Crowd''' ====
* How do amazement, fear, and glorifying God reveal different levels of understanding?
* How should we respond when we witness God’s power in our lives?
----
=== '''Part 3: Applying the Message''' ===
* What obstacles (personal or societal) prevent people from coming to Jesus today?
* How can we be like the paralytic’s friends, bringing others to Christ?
* What does this passage teach us about trusting Jesus for both spiritual and physical healing?
'''Challenge for the Week:'''
* Identify one area in your life where you feel “paralyzed” and pray for Jesus to bring healing.
* Reach out to someone who may feel distant from God and encourage them in faith.
----
=== '''Closing Prayer:''' ===
Thank God for His power to heal and forgive. Ask Him for faith like the friends of the paralytic, and for a heart that recognizes His authority in every area of life.
'''Memory Verse:'''
''“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”'' – Luke 5:31-32
Retrieved from "https://2ndbook.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/14348...15348"

Navigation menu