Lots of people came to hear Jesus talk, because they knew He had important things to tell them. There were so many people in one room that they could not fit them all in. This was a problem for four friends who really wanted their friend–the paralytic–to hear what Jesus had to say.

Their friend was called "the paralytic" because he was paralyzed, which means he could not walk. So the paralytic's four friends carried him to Jesus through the roof of the building in which Jesus was teaching. It was the only way the paralytic's friends could get to Jesus, because there were so many people.

When Jesus saw the paralytic, He said, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

When Jesus said this, He was really saying that He was God. (Only God can forgive our sins, or save us from the punishment that comes from bad things we think about, say, and do.)

But some men in the crowd became angry; they did not believe that Jesus could be a man and God. Even though these men did not say anything out loud, Jesus knew what they were thinking.

He said, "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, and pick up your [bed] and walk'?"

Jesus did something next that showed the angry men that the paralytic's sins were forgiven. He made the paralyzed man well, and said, "Get up, pick up your [bed] and go home."

By showing everyone that He could make a man well, Jesus showed everyone that He could also then forgive sins. He gave everyone a reason to believe He was truly the Son of God, and He could do whatever God could do.

The paralytic picked up his bed in front of everyone and walked out of the room. Everyone was surprised. They were praising God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

Memory Verse:
"And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven' (Mark 2:5)."

Remember Rhyme

Lots of people came to hear

What Jesus had to say

Not everyone could get to Him

But they found another way.

Four friends carried their friend

Because he could not walk

They brought him through the roof

So he could hear Jesus talk.

The paralytic man believed

Jesus was both God and man

He understood the truth

That some could not understand.

Jesus forgave the man's sin

And told him to get up and walk

The paralytic left the room

And the people were in shock

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