A need perceived – Mark 2:1-12
Jesus said that he came to heal the sick, not the healthy. The opening chapters of Mark’s Gospel tell that story: demons dispatched, infirmities healed. It was this activity that brought the crowds, and it was the crowds that roused the jealousy of the religious Jews.
The people, as in every generation suffered; physically, financially, but most of all spiritually. It is easier to see and admit to spiritual need when we are obviously in need in other areas.
The paralysed man was brought becuase of his obvious physical need. But Jesus first addressed his greatest need: forgiveness!
This is what offended the Pharisees. They could set themselves above the rest in every other way apart from forgiveness. And, because they had set themselves above the rest it was all the harder for them to admit to their great spiritual need.
This is why God so often uses hardship to break through our pride. Our sin is the greatest leveller because ‘all have sinned’, but the Good News is that Jesus is just as willing to save the religious hypocrite as the down and out. But we must first see and admit our need before we can gain the cure: the ‘you’re sins are forgiven’ from the Son of God, Jesus Christ.