Four people break open the roof above ‘Isa al Masih (pbuh) while he is teaching a crowd. Then they lower down their paralyzed friend. Read about the authority ‘Isa (pbuh) has both to heal and to forgive in this story from the Holy Injil (al-kitab.org) beginning in Mark 2:1.

Mark 2:1-12

¹When ‘Isa entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. ²Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and ‘Isa spoke the word to them. ³Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. ⁴When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. ⁵‘Isa, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

⁶But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, ⁷“Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but Allah alone?”

⁸Immediately ‘Isa, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts? ⁹Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’ ¹⁰But that you may know that Ibn Adam has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he said to the paralytic – ¹¹“I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.”

¹²The paralytic arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified Allah, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Study the Story

Do you have a friend with you now?  Tell each other this story in your own words.  Help each other remember the complete story.  If you are alone, please take a moment to retell the story to yourself in your own words.  Now, think of a friend you can share this story with later on.

As you study this story, what does it teach you about ‘Isa al Masih (pbuh)? (Think about this before reading more.)

Key Points

First, we see that ‘Isa (pbuh) has the power to heal the paralyzed man. Similar to the story in A Touch of Faith, he is able to bring healing that cannot be accomplished by human skill. Like the bleeding woman who reached out to touch ‘Isa (pbuh), the friends brought the crippled man to him and a miraculous healing took place.

Second, ‘Isa (pbuh) makes it clear that he has authority to forgive sin. Not only does he declare that the man’s sins are forgiven, but he heals the man as evidence that he has authority to forgive sins. This hints at a relationship between sin, sickness, jinn, and the evil eye. We see similar hints in the post on Chain Breaking Mercy.

‘Isa (pbuh) refers to himself as Ibn Adam in this story as he does frequently throughout the Injil. This is a title that refers to his role as al Masih that comes from the prophecies given by prophet Daniyal. At the time of this story Bani Israel thought al Masih would be an earthly king who would deliver them from their Roman oppressors. ‘Isa (pbuh) wanted to correct their thinking and teach them that al Masih is a heavenly king who will set them free from slavery to sin and the oppression of evil.

Lastly, we see that the end result of this miracle is that Allah is glorified. The story tells us that the people were amazed and glorified Allah. ‘Isa (pbuh) wants us to see Allah with fresh eyes so that we, too, can be amazed and can glorify Allah.

Dua

Would you like to experience the forgiveness of sins? Do you believe ‘Isa al Masih (pbuh) has been given authority to forgive sin? If you want to, say a dua like this:

Oh Allah, you are merciful and compassionate. I believe you have given ‘Isa authority to forgive sin. Oh ‘Isa have mercy on me and forgive my sin. Forgive me for _______________. Oh Allah, thank you for providing forgiveness through ‘Isa. Help me to sin no more. I am amazed by you, amazed by your care for me. I worship you. Let me glorify you in my life.