Topical Bible: Glorifying God: The Man Sick With Palsy

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The account of the man sick with palsy, also known as the paralytic, is a profound narrative that illustrates the power of faith, the authority of Jesus Christ, and the ultimate purpose of glorifying God. This event is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, with a detailed account found in the Gospel of Mark 2:1-12, and parallel passages in Matthew 9:1-8 and Luke 5:17-26.

Context and Setting

The event takes place in Capernaum, a town that served as a central hub for Jesus' ministry in Galilee. As Jesus was teaching in a crowded house, four men brought a paralytic to Him, demonstrating their faith and determination by lowering the man through the roof due to the inability to reach Jesus through the crowd.

Faith and Forgiveness

Upon seeing their faith, Jesus addressed the paralytic, saying, "Son, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5). This declaration highlights the primacy of spiritual healing over physical healing. Jesus' pronouncement of forgiveness was a direct assertion of His divine authority, as only God can forgive sins. This act of forgiveness was met with skepticism and silent accusations of blasphemy from the scribes present, who questioned, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:7).

Healing and Authority

To demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, Jesus performed a physical miracle, commanding the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home" (Mark 2:11). The man immediately rose, took up his mat, and walked out in full view of the onlookers. This miraculous healing served as a visible confirmation of Jesus' divine authority and His power to forgive sins.

Response and Glorification

The response of the crowd was one of amazement and reverence. They were "all astounded and glorified God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!'" (Mark 2:12). The healing of the paralytic not only restored the man's physical health but also led to the glorification of God by those who witnessed the miracle. This glorification was a natural response to the revelation of God's power and mercy through Jesus Christ.

Theological Implications

The narrative of the man sick with palsy underscores several key theological themes. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of faith, as the faith of the paralytic and his friends was instrumental in his healing. Secondly, it affirms the deity of Christ, as He exercises divine prerogatives in forgiving sins. Lastly, it illustrates the ultimate purpose of miracles and divine intervention: to bring glory to God.

Application for Believers

For believers, this account serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and the assurance that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins and transform lives. It encourages Christians to approach God with confidence, knowing that He is both willing and able to meet their deepest needs. Moreover, it calls believers to live lives that glorify God, reflecting His power and grace to a watching world.

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Luke 5:25
And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that where on he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
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Library

The Sick of the Palsy
... that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, "We ... no zeal in it, no
passion for God's honor, no ... For as He had just read the sick man's heart, so ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 1-12 the sick of.htm

Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... [What command could be more pleasant than that which bade this sick man go home ... The
bed had borne the man; now the man bore the bed""Bengel ... c glorifying God. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxv jesus heals a paralytic.htm

Whether those Miracles were Fitting which Christ Worked in ...
... the man sick of the palsy had been healed by Christ, "feared, and glorified God
that gave such power to men." But the demons have no part in glorifying God; ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether those miracles were fitting.htm

Christ's Authority to Forgive
... Their glorifying God cannot have been very deep-seated, or ... a little varnish of
acknowledgment of God's power, which ... Let us hope that the healed man carried his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christs authority to forgive.htm

The Trinity.
... in the mission of the Holy Spirit is more glorifying to God ... He prayed God to keep
them from the evils of the world ... In Mat.9:2, Jesus says to the man sick of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xv the trinity.htm

Blasphemer, or --Who?
... that ye may know that the Son of man hath power ... earth to forgive sins, (He said unto
the sick of the ... he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.26. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/blasphemer orwho.htm

Carried by Four
... that ye may know that the Son of man hath power ... to forgive sins (he said unto the
sick of the ... whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/carried by four.htm

First Forgiveness, Then Healing
... that ye may know that the Son of man hath power ... to forgive sins, (he said unto the
sick of the ... whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/first forgiveness then healing.htm

John iv. 40-43
... to persist just the same in giving thanks, in glorifying God. ... are effects of the
tender care of God; "Whom the ... Hebrews 12:6.) When therefore a man serves Him ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxv john iv 40-43.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... ceased to be a true body after his glorifying, or that ... By which words he did mean
that any man could be ... should endeavor by all means, and beg of God by prayer ...
/.../english version of the second.htm