Mark 2 Session 9

Well what happened next was truly amazing. There I was right in front of Jesus and in front of these religious men who seemed to be looking on with suspicion. Jesus first of all glanced up at my four friends who were peering down through the hole looking all expectant and gave them some kind of knowing look which said because of your faith I can act.

Looking at me he said "son, your sins are forgiven". Well how did he know that I was racked with guilt because of all the wrong and hurt I had done and caused. I mean I had never met him and too my knowledge neither had my four friends. This, to me was divine revelation. Jesus seemed to know that I needed forgiveness not just to be made well. It was in that moment that something came alive in me, as if something beyond my control was beginning to happen. Just then Jesus perceived the criticism of all those in the room with us and rebuked the people around us for questioning in their hearts that he was able to forgive sins, surely only God can do that and He's not here, is He?  Well what happened next was momentous, you could cut the air with a knife. Jesus just said "Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven or take up your bed and walk?, just so you know that the son of man has power on earth to forgive sins I say take up your bed and go home."

Immediately may legs and back came to life and up I got.

There was a stunned silence while the crowd watched me then there was clapping and great sounds of joy as I made my way through the crowds to the door. It was amazing, to be the reason for so much rejoicing, I can't begin to tell you how I felt. Here I was, one minute not able to walk and the next walking. But despite this great miracle Jesus original words still hung in my ears, "son your sins are forgiven you". I knew that even though Jesus had told me to take up my bed he had actually forgiven me. Something inside me had been touched, I now had a realisation that there was a spirit world and that a heavenly father wanted to have a relationship with me. After all Jesus had called me son. I don't know if any one else picked that up but I certainly did, I mean son, I had never met the man before yet here he was calling me son. That to me meant that there had to be a father and that I now had been bought in, or if you like adopted into a new family. Well the excitement was overwhelming. I needed to find out more. This was not the end this was the beginning and to top it all I could now walk. I had to go and tell someone of the great things that Jesus has done for me. I never returned to my old ways and neither did my friends we all became ambassadors for this new found faith that was transforming our lives.

Just to show how much we were changed we did something we had never done before, we went back and repaired the roof. It felt amazing to be giving rather than taking. All I can say is thank you Jesus.