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Mark 2:1-12 - Jesus heals a paralytic

This is another of Jesus's healings.

It takes place in Capernaum, when Jesus was "at home". Many gathered to hear Him preach. This story describes these 4 men, who carried a paralytic on a bed. Being unable to reach Him by the main door, they went through the roof - lowering the paralytic down.
Jesus, seeing their faith, tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven. Immediately, He is criticized in the hearts of the scribes in attendance - thinking Jesus is a blasphemer, claiming authority to forgive sins - which only God can do.
Jesus, seeing this rejection, tells the paralytic to get up and walk - a feat He claims to be harder to do for a normal person than to claim to forgive sins.

So what's the lesson?

Again we see the faith of the people in Jesus rewarded by healing. Of course, in this age, we do not experience physical healing so often, but instead spiritual healing - which was always the main point anyway.

Again we see Jesus rejected by the people - His authority as God rejected.

Again we see Jesus teach the people the truth - and the people walk away amazed.

So why this pattern? The initial faith followed by rejection of His lordship. Why does it repetitively come up in Mark? And why does it repetitively appear in our lives?
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