"Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?" (Mark 2:8)
What a glorious day! Jesus is in town, preaching the word at home in Capernaum. There are so many people there that there isn't even room to get near the door (Mark 2:2). While He speaks, there is a second service occurring on the roof of the house: "...being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him... and they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying" (2:4).
What wonderful friends! As Jesus engages in service of the word, the friends of the paralytic engage in a service of helps: they make sure that their friend has an opportunity for an encounter with the living God in the person of Jesus Christ. And Jesus stops speaking the word to the crowd, and speaks a word to an individual: "My son, your sins are forgiven" (2:5). But while He speaks, there is yet another service occurring in the hearts of the scribes...
"Why does this man speak that way?" There seems to have been no protest from the scribes when Jesus was expounding the word of God to the crowd. But when He spoke a word of forgiveness to one man, the scribes reacted negatively. And though they never spoke out loud, Jesus heard their hearts. And He responded to their logic by demonstrating the illogical: a miracle of divine healing for the paralytic.
Let's jump into the twenty-first century, and turn the camera on you. Have you endured the overcrowded room for the joy of hearing from God? Have you engaged in works of service so that others can have access into the presence of Christ Jesus? Or have you dared to engage in an internal protest when Jesus chose to reach out to an individual in your presence?
The scribes and Pharisees specialized in reasoning and debate: "Why did He say that?" (2:7). "Why are Your disciples not fasting?" (2:18). "Why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" (2:24). Jesus specialized in being clear and uncomplicated: "Follow Me!" (2:14).
Keep it simple, saints. Follow Him.
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