Mark 2:1-13  Jesus returned to Capernaum and "it was heard that He was at home."  Jesus came back "home".. perhaps Simon's house? .. someone's house... where people gathered to hear Him speak "the word". 

 "And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men." (v3) 

We don't know who "they" were.. but, we know they had faith that Jesus could heal their paralyzed friend. They were so sure that Jesus would help him that they would not stop at anything to bring him to Jesus.  Since they couldn't get in the door.. they dug a hole in the roof!  What a picture Mark gives us here! But, that is just the beginning of what happens in this "snapshot"... 

Jesus looks at the faith of those who brought him.. and then to the paralyzed boy/man.  Then He spoke, "My son, your sins are forgiven." (v5)  We are never told who this young man was.  We don't know if he also had faith in Jesus. We do know that when Jesus told him to get up, take his pallet, and go home.. he did! All the crowd glorified God in their amazement. 

Except.. the scribes. They grumbled that Jesus said that the boy's sins were forgiven. They accused Jesus of "blaspheming".  They had no faith that Jesus could heal, let alone forgive sins.  Jesus spoke directly to their unbelief.. "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your pallet and walk?'  But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.."  He told the boy to get up and walk... and he did. 

This was a new revelation of the authority of Jesus to those who were there in Capernaum that day.  Maybe it is a new revelation to us too...  

Jesus saw the faith of those who brought the boy to Jesus.  He saw the boy's need to be forgiven of sin.  He saw the unbelief of the scribes.  He acted with compassion and authority and power.  This is our Savior who never changes and never fails.  He sees our faith... to bring those who need forgiveness and healing to Jesus.. even if we have to dig a hole in the roof!  And.. He sees when we don't have enough faith to believe He will do anything.. "reasoning" in our own hearts about the Words He speaks.  He also sees us when we obey His voice.. take up our own pallets and walk away.. whole and glorifying God!

Father in heaven, teach us more about Jesus.. so that we can know Him and believe with the kind of faith that these 4 men had.. faith to remove any obstacle that keeps us or others..  from Him!  Thank You for this revelation of our Lord who has authority on earth to forgive sins!  Forgive us every trespass, Lord , as we forgive any who trespass against us. In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.