Term of Endearment
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Straight to the Cross
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COLUMN: Final Phase
Term of Endearment
by J. Randal Matheny
"And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the
paralytic, 'My son, your sins are forgiven'" (Mark
2:5, ESV).
Jesus is at his tenderest when he is forgiving
sins. This fulfills his deepest desire and
satisfies man's direst need. How better to show
this to all than to forgive a very sick man whose
friends have made extraordinary effort to carry
him to the Lord?
Jesus saw "their" faith, that of the paralytic and
his friends. Perhaps the paralytic infected his
friends with his faith, or they inflamed their
sick friend with hope. The text does not say. But
the man was certainly a full participant in
getting to Jesus. The expectation and effort of
the five brings the love of Jesus to bear on the
one.
Aside from serving as an act of divine compassion,
the miracle demonstrates Jesus' authority to
forgive sins. It is Mark's opening demonstration
that "miracles are confirmation of the word"/1
(see Mark 16:20). In this manner, the Lord focuses
upon the more basic need of the soul rather than
bodily sickness. The latter, if not in this
specific case, results from the former.
When Jesus says, "Your sins are forgiven," he
makes it happen as he says it. In his Greek
grammar, Daniel Wallace calls the verb an
instantaneous present. The act is completed at the
moment of speaking. The speaking brings the fact
into existence. He says it is so, and it becomes
so. Similar to the minister who says, "I now
pronounce you man and wife." The phrase not only
states a fact, but produces it as well.
"My son," says Jesus. The Greek is "teknon,"
"child." In a context like this, the Theological
Dictionary of the New Testament calls it "an
intimate address to those not related" (V:639). A
special term of endearment for one who has
overcome the obstacles to reaching Jesus. A badge
of honor, the highest decoration, the most
precious compliment.
Jesus is touched by their faith and, especially,
that of the paralytic. He is moved by their effort
as friends toward a most holy goal. His compassion
is stirred by the man's sense of need.
Quickly, to dispell all doubt about the propriety
of their action, he addresses the paralytic, "My
son." Their deed was no interruption. For such a
moment as this has Jesus come to speak the all-
important words, "your sins are forgiven."
Jesus did all things well (Mark 7:37). His best
was forgiving sins. In forgiving, he shows his
tender heart. He expresses his love to one and to
all. He folds us into his intimate communion.
And he smiles the joy of the Father over the
determined penitent.
"My son, your sins are forgiven."
Welcome to the Kingdom.
__________
1/Julius Schniewind, O evangelho segundo Marcos
(Uniao Cristao, 1989), p. 44. My translation.
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