The way of much Eastern Mysticism is the "path of least resistance". The concept of water is especially attractive to those who follow such paths. Water wears down over time, but initially is guided by the ground, following the path of least resistance. It eventually changes the ground, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly.
I used to believe this was a valid way to seek my Master, that He would guide me in this way, and to fight my circumstances was to fight Him. But I learned that this is a fallen world, not just a world with fallen humanity. This place is a spiritual battleground, and, if Eastern Mystics are who you listen to, then Sun Tsu might be a better option. For this is war, and the path of least resistance may not be the best path to winning a war.
Jesus chose the hard way often, very often. It was the path to the cross that He chose. On that path, He upset lots of people, including some scribes in a house in Capernaum one day:
And Jesus seeing their faith *said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:5-7 NASB)
Four friends come to the crowded house, and can't get their paralyzed buddy to Jesus through the people. They dig through the roof, and drop their friend, bier and all, through the roof right in front of Jesus. It was quite a scene, the dust and debris from the roof spilling into the room, and then four faces, and a pallet become visible where the roof had been. And down comes this guy on a pallet looking up at Jesus and smiling. Jesus saw their faith, the five, and forgives the paralyzed man his sin. It's a beautiful moment, except for the look on the faces of the self-important religious people in the front row.
Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, *said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He *said to the paralytic, “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.” (Mark 2:8-12 NASB)
Jesus knows what these guys are thinking. They aren't saying it, but it's plain to Jesus what they're thinking. I believe this is what He wanted. He wanted them to catch that important understanding, because that is why these guys came in the first place (see Luke 5:18-26), they were investigating this new rabbi. So, in order to better help them understand who He truly was, Jesus forgave the man's sins. The scribes weren't wrong, that truly was something only God could do. So, Jesus reveals the amazing truth to them, He speaks for God!
Saying the man's sins were forgiven was impossible to prove, there was nothing to see. How could anyone really know if what Jesus said actually happened? But, should He say something like, "Rise, take your pallet and walk" to a paralyzed man, well, that was verifiable. And, only God could heal a paralytic, which we don't point out much. In order for someone to actually heal another, God would have to do the actual work. To prove that God was with Jesus, that He came from the Father, as He taught, that the Kingdom of God was truly at hand (Mark 1:15), Jesus commanded the paralyzed man, and he got up and walked out.
Jesus validated His forgiveness of this man by also healing him. Just before this, Jesus touched a leper, and then healed him. The touch was necessary to heal a heart, and would, ordinarily, infect Jesus. But Jesus imparts holiness because He is God. Here He forgives sins because He is God. He heals the paralyzed man, as He did the leper, because He is God. He is, as Mark claims right up front (Mark 1:1), The Son of God. And this account proves it, clarifies it, makes the impossible as certain as life and death.
Are our actions making Jesus clear to those around us? Do our attitudes and actions clarify His deity, make certain His power to save, and convey His love for rebellious sinners throughout this crazy world? If so, persevere. If not, what needs to change in your life and conduct? We are told that we can forgive sins, you and I. Yes, only God can forgive sins, and He has delegated that responsibility to us (John 20:23).
Read this account, and let us go, and do likewise.
