An Inability To See (Mark 2: 8-22)

In 1996 I bought my children a book called Magic Eye. In the book were a collection of pictures filled  with multiple colored dots. The idea was that if you stared at the page filled with dots just right, a 3D picture would emerge. Adults and children alike would pick up the book and say, “Oh, I love Magic Eye books!” Then they would proceed to tell me what they saw. I, however, never saw anything but a bunch of dots. One day in total frustration and disgust I chucked the Magic Eye book into the garbage.

In Mark 2 Jesus had returned to Capernaum. Word spread and the crowds came. There was no room, not even at the door. It was definitely a standing room only kind of crowd. The placed was packed with people wanting to get close to Jesus, and yet the scribes had found a place to sit. These men who were experts in Jewish law and the Scriptures had come to judge this man about whom they had heard.

I can almost see them sitting there with great dignity amongst the common people when suddenly dirt begins falling on their head. At first it was just a few clods, but as daylight began to flood the room, so did the dirt that showered down on them. Then, to their astonishment, a paralyzed man was lowered through the hole in the ceiling. But even more astonishing to these godly men was the blasphemy they heard when Jesus declared the paralytic forgiven of his sins!

They said nothing out loud, but the same one who pronounced forgiveness of sin was also able to know what was in their heart. Jesus responded to their silent question of, “Why does this man speak like this? This is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” with a question of His own. “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Arise take up your bed and walk’?” And then He told the paralytic to rise, take up his bed and walk, showing the scribes that the Son of Man had the authority to forgive sins on earth.

This, however, did not cause the scribes to see who Jesus was. Why was it that after hearing Jesus speak with authority and seeing the miracles that He performed they were unable to see Jesus for who He truly was? They were the experts in Jewish law and in the Scriptures, yet if you look back at the first chapter of Mark you will find the answer. John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah with the message of repentance. Those who did not humble themselves and repent were unable to see or to recognize the Son of God even when He was right in front of them.