Jesus has the authority to forgive sins and to heal <Mark 2:1-12>

“AND JESUS having returned to Capernaum, after some days it was rumored about that He was in the house [probably Peter's]. And so many people gathered together there that there was no longer room [for them], not even around the door; and He was discussing the Word. Then they came, bringing a paralytic to Him, who had been picked up and was being carried by four men. And when they could not get him to a place in front of Jesus because of the throng, they dug through the roof above Him; and when they had scooped out an opening, they let down the [thickly padded] quilt or mat upon which the paralyzed man lay. And when Jesus saw their faith [their confidence in God through Him], He said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven [you] and put away [that is, the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God]. Now some of the scribes were sitting there, holding a dialogue with themselves as they questioned in their hearts, Why does this Man talk like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins [remove guilt, remit the penalty, and bestow righteousness instead] except God alone? And at once Jesus, becoming fully aware in His spirit that they thus debated within themselves, said to them, Why do you argue (debate, reason) about all this in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralyzed man, Your sins are forgiven and put away, or to say, Rise, take up your sleeping pad or mat, and start walking about [and keep on walking]? But that you may know positively and beyond a doubt that the Son of Man has right and authority and power on earth to forgive sins–He said to the paralyzed man, I say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going on home. And he arose at once and picked up the sleeping pad or mat and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and recognized and praised and thanked God, saying, We have never seen anything like this before!”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭2:1-12‬ ‭AMP‬‬

JX is God!
- Not just a good man, great teacher, miracle doing -> do we think Jesus as all these? One who can heal us, and give us all our desires? Jesus wants us to think of Him as GOD.
- Accurate: Whole > sum of parts
- Reductionistic: "Sunday God"/ help-desk (go to him with issues)/ counsellor
Jesus's forgiveness carries weight!
Safety net. But not for us to abuse.
- The more we realise how unadorable we are, the more we will discover His love
- Love => it is a influential thing, it can transform people. Eg Peter

Haven't seen actual miracle, but believe:
- 4 friends and paralytic
- Jesus see their faith - they have confidence in God through Jesus
- Faith is not empty profession with mouth -> faith that is God-pleasing and mobilising His work is faith that comes with action.
- Faith is about boundary-crossing (may not be your forte)
  - - HC: yet without unloveable and trying situations, we will not be given the chance to grow in faith
    - Our faith can accelerate God into action.
    - If we believe deeply and correctly, we will realise that we will not struggle too much before we do it
    - If we cannot do it, is it because we do not believe enough?
- 4 friends - intercessor
Saw but rejected JC (V 6-8)
1. - Teachers of the law
  - Mt 9:4 why are you entertaining evil thoughts?
  - The more we entertain it, the more we lose faith (become disbelief )
  - Do we move away from it? Or do we go towards more blessed thoughts?
  - What are evil thoughts?
    - - Thoughts that belittle God, against the truth of God
Saw and were amazed!
- Amazed does not mean believe
- No one will be transformed with your amazement
- Only when we make JC the master of our lives that our destiny will change