Commentary

7th Sunday –B
Mark 2:1-12

Jesus’ Sacrifice to Give us Fullness of Life

In Mark’s Gospel, when Jesus performs his very first miracle, he already breaks certain Jewish laws. In 1:23-26, Jesus drives an unclean spirit out of a man. The healing takes place in a synagogue; and it is on a Sabbath. Yet, we learn nothing about the reactions of the Jewish religious leaders to this violation. We do learn, however, that everyone there is “astounded.”

Afterwards, Jesus cures Simon’s mother-in-law of her fever. This healing takes place in Simon’s home. It is also on the same Sabbath day. Still, we do not know how the leaders react to Jesus’ behavior.

Chapter 2 of Mark begins with the healing of the paralytic. Right away, here, we learn of the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. This conflict will run throughout the gospel, and reaches its climax with Jesus’ crucifixion.

Jesus appears to be the one who brings the conflict upon himself.

He has the choice to simply say to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your mat and walk.” On the surface, telling a man who is paralyzed to walk is a challenging task. Everybody could tell whether Jesus’ words are effective or not.

From the background that Chapter 1 has provided us, we know that it would be quite simple for Jesus just to heal the man.

Yet, Jesus chooses the more risky path. He tells the man, “Your sins are forgiven.” Now, he is in trouble with the scribes sitting there because for them, he has blasphemed. God alone can forgive sins.

Why doesn’t Jesus just heal the man and avoid getting himself in trouble?

Because Jesus wants to give us more than just physical healing. It is the fullness of life and the freedom of the children of God that Jesus wants to share with us. And so, he takes the risk of alienating the religious authority. This decision eventually will lead to his death on the cross.

"It is our sins that he bears."

He dies for our sins so we can live as children of God.