The Life of Jesus

Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they promptly told Jesus about her.

So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all who were sick and demon-possessed,

and the whole town gathered at the door.

And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray.

Simon and his companions went to look for Him,

and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!”

But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.”

So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!”

And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed.

Jesus promptly sent him away with a stern warning:

“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

But the man went out and openly began to proclaim and spread the news. Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet people came to Him from every quarter.

A few days later Jesus went back to Capernaum. And when the people heard that He was home,

they gathered in such large numbers that there was no more room, not even outside the door, as Jesus spoke the word to them.

Then a paralytic was brought to Him, carried by four men.

Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat.

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts,

“Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” He asked.

“Which is easier: to say to a paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?