And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
– Mark 2:5-7 (ESV)
– Mark 2:5-7 (ESV)
Blaspheming God was the worst sin that anyone could commit in the eyes of religious Jews. And the “scribes” were like the PhD’s of the law. The scribes were the experts in the Old Testament. Many of them had the entire Old Testament memorized. And they knew that only God could truly forgive sins. Jesus’ assertion to forgive this paralytic’s sins was tantamount to claiming himself to be God, and the scribes were rattled by this.
There are amazing human intrigues and courage revealed in this story of Mark.
But perhaps the greatest claim of the story, if not the most subtle, is that Jesus marks his own claim to be God. And that is just Jesus being Jesus, never boasting his power but subtly sending the message that He is the true teacher, the ruler, the King of all kings. Jesus never forced his will on anyone, but repeatedly used strong teaching and uncompromising claims to let the members of his audience have the ability to affirm the truth for themselves. May this approach to evangelism also be true of us when we share our stories and our faith.
but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." –John 10:32-33
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