In a house in Capernaum it was very lively, because Jesus was there! Many people came to hear Him. The house was so full that no one could fit in. People even crowded the doors and windows to catch a glimpse of Jesus.
In the same city there lived a man who was very sad. He was paralyzed and could not walk. Four of his friends had an idea: “We will take you to Jesus! He can heal you!” So the friends lifted the paralyzed man onto a mat and carried him to the house where Jesus was. But oh dear, the crowd was so big that they couldn’t get through.
The friends did not give up. They climbed onto the roof of the house! At that time, the roofs were flat, and it was easy to walk on them. They began to make a hole in the roof, just above where Jesus stood. It was hard work, but they were determined to help their friend.
When the hole was big enough, they carefully let their friend down to Jesus on his mat through the roof. Everyone in the house was amazed. What brave friends, they thought. Jesus looked at the paralyzed man and was touched by the faith of his friends.
“Be of good cheer, my son,” Jesus said. “Your sins are forgiven.” The religious leaders who were also there were surprised and thought, “How can Jesus say such a thing? Only God can forgive sins!”
But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said: “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Get up, take up your mat, and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins on earth—” He turned to the paralytic and said, “Get up, take up your mat and go home!”
And then a miracle happened! The man stood up. For the first time in a long time, he was able to move his legs! He took his mat and went out in front of everyone. People were amazed and praised God. “We have never seen anything like it!” they cried joyfully.
Message of history
God sees our faith and cares for our physical and spiritual needs. He has the power to work miracles and loves to help people.
Bible passage
The story of Jesus healing a paralytic is found in Mark 2:1-12:
“And after a few days he went back to Capernaum; and it became known that he was in the house. 2 And many gathered together, so that they had no room, not even outside by the door; and he preached the word to them. 3 And some came to him, bringing a paralytic carried by four. 4 And as they could not bring him to him because of the crowd, they covered the roof where he was, and after they had broken it open, they lowered the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 And there were some of the scribes sitting there, who thought in their hearts, 7 How does this man speak such blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone? 8 And immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that they were thinking this to themselves, and said to them, “Why do you think these things in your hearts? 9 What is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘You are forgiven for your sins,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk?’ 10 But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth, he said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, get up, take up your bed, and go home.” 12 And immediately he got up, took his bed, and went out in front of them all, so that they were all amazed, and praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like it.”
