One day, Jesus went back to a town called Capernaum. When people heard he was there, many came to the house to listen to him. The house was so full that even the doorway was crowded.
While Jesus was teaching, four men came carrying their friend who could not walk. They could not get through the crowd, so they went up to the roof. They made a hole and lowered their friend down in front of Jesus.
Jesus saw that these men really believed in him. He said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.”
Some religious teachers were sitting there. They thought, “Why does Jesus say that? Only God can forgive sins.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said, “Why are you thinking that way? Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? I will show you that I have the power to forgive sins.”
Then Jesus said to the man, “Get up, take your mat, and go home.”
At once, the man got up, took his mat, and walked out while everyone watched. The people were amazed and said, “We have never seen anything like this before!”
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Discussion Questions.
- What did the four friends do to help the man who could not walk?
- When you have a problem in your studies or life, who helps you? Friends, classmates, or family?
- What does this story show us about who Jesus is and what He can do for people?