The teachers of the religious law had a resistant mindset. They had come to check out this popular new teacher. There were stories of healing and fresh teaching from a previously unknown rabbi. Jesus was beginning His ministry and was very popular with the common people. He had returned to His home base of Capernaum and had just forgiven a paralyzed man’s sins.
Mark 2: 6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”[1] These leaders were correct. In His own way, Jesus was revealing His identity as God. But their hard hearts and closed minds kept them from understanding this.
A Renewed Mind
What if the teachers of the religious law had come to Jesus with open minds and hearts? How would their actions be different? When we come to know Jesus as our Savior, He renews our minds. The Holy Spirit takes up residence and begins to transform us. Jesus unlocks our closed minds and changes how we see Him, others, and ourselves.
Romans 12: 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.[2]
Jesus didn’t look like the Messiah the Jewish leadership expected. Their closed minds kept them from seeing that while Jesus was a human man, He was also God. Thus, they jumped to the conclusion that Jesus was a blasphemer. In contrast, the four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus came with faith and an open mind to what Jesus would do.
An Opened Mind to Love
As we grow in faith, the Lord begins to transform us, and we begin to see people in a new way. They may be the same people, but God has opened our eyes to their inner needs. You may begin praying for strangers you meet instead of ignoring them. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart and mind.
We can ask God to see others as He sees them. Our Lord loves to answer these prayers because He knows it changes you and those you meet. Perhaps the Lord is prompting you to pray that prayer as you read this. John 15:12This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.[3]
The four friends brought the paralyzed man to Jesus. The crowds didn’t deter them because they were determined. When we love others, it changes them and us. Who brought you to Jesus, and how has that changed your life? Who is the Lord prompting you show the love of Jesus to?
Where does the Lord need to break a resistant mindset? To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/made-whole-by-forgiveness
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.