ROOTED - Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Mark 2:10-12

10 But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the
paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your
bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately
picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed
and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Reflection: Divine Claims Early in Mark

Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro

Mark
2:1-12 is one of my favorite stories in the Gospels. We read a story that
teaches us so much. We learn, for example, that Jesus is so valuable, that we
should go to great lengths to get people to Jesus. We learn the nature of
faith. We learn the nature of what it means to be “spiritually paralyzed.” We
learn a lot. However, I have come to appreciate this story at a different level
over the last few months. This story represents one of the strongest Gospel
claims of Jesus’ divinity… and it is in the very small details.

1)    The crowd
glorifies Jesus… and Jesus does not stop them (v. 12). This is not the only
place this happens, but in the original language it is clear Jesus accepts what
only belongs to God. Isaiah 42:8 (ESV) states explicitly, "I am the LORD;
that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols”.
The religious people that hated Jesus did not like this one bit!

2)    Jesus
forgives sin. Now this is obvious that this is something only God can do… hence
the reason the scribes say, “He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sin but God
alone!” Furthermore, it is clear Jesus knows they are reasoning this way, and
he does not correct them. In fact, he heals the paralytic to prove the fact
that he can forgive sin! Jesus is making a divine claim to be God without
saying, “I am God.” In the Old Testament no one can forgive sin but God. Even
the Priests say, “you are forgiven.” They use the passive tense in order to
show that they are not doing the forgiving. They do not say, “I forgive you.”
Yet Jesus says, the “Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Yes…
this is a strong claim of divinity.

3)    Finally, he
refers to himself as the “Son of Man” (a reference to Daniel 7… the Messianic
figure). His reference as the Son of Man in Mark is a very strong claim to be a
messianic figure… ironically an even stronger claim than saying “the Son of
God.”

This chapter teaches us a lot. But as you read the book of Mark,
notice the small hints of Jesus’ divinity without his coming out and saying
plainly, “I am God.”

Prayer

Heavenly
Father, may we notice the details as we read this Book of Mark. May we see the
glory of Christ as the Divine God in the chapters of this book.

As Pastor Jesse concludes his time on staff, our Rooted devotionals will also be taking a break for a season. Thank you for joining us on this journey through God's Word.