Hope That Heals: Reflections on Mark 2:1-22

Black-and-white illustration of Jesus with a serene expression, framed by a radiant halo and a cross in the background. His long hair and beard are rendered in flowing, textured lines, while his robe drapes in soft folds across his shoulders. The intricate linework creates a sense of depth and reverence, giving the image a timeless, woodcut-like appearance. Trees frame both sides, adding a natural element to the sacred scene.

Mark 2.1-22

Today, Mark tells us a three part story: the healing of a paralysed man, Jesus’s calling of Levi, and his discussion of fasting and new wine. In each story, Jesus challenges expectations and reveals his authority to forgive, heal, and transform lives. He brings hope to those on the margins and invites everyone into the renewal of God’s Dream.

What is attractive about God's Dream?

The faith of the paralysed man’s friends is a beautiful example of hope in action. They overcome obstacles, tearing through a roof to bring their friend to Jesus. (The gospels are strangely silent on the question of whether they bothered to patch the hole when they were done!) This moment reflects a community driven by love for each other and belief in Jesus’s ability to heal. Similarly, Jesus’s willingness to dine with Levi and other sinners is deeply inviting, showing his radical inclusivity and his desire to extend grace to everyone. The image of “new wine in new wineskins” is a hopeful reminder of renewal and the transformative power of Jesus’s message.

What is challenging about God's Dream?

The skepticism of the religious leaders, who question Jesus’s authority to forgive sins, challenges us to reflect on our own resistance to new ways of encountering God. I love tradition. I love the tried and true ways of encountering God. It’s easy to cling to traditions or expectations It's harder to wonder whether they limit our openness to God’s transformative work. Additionally, Jesus’s insistence on "new wine" asks us to consider how ready we are to embrace change, even when it means letting go of old patterns and comfort zones. Are we willing to make space in our lives for the fresh movement of God’s Spirit?

What is transformative about God's Dream?

Hope is a unifying thread in this passage—hope for healing, forgiveness, and new beginnings. Jesus not only heals the paralysed man’s body but also forgives his sins, offering wholeness in every sense. This act transforms not only the man but also the community that witnesses it. The calling of Levi demonstrates that no one is beyond the reach of grace, while the imagery of new wine speaks of a Kingdom marked by renewal and possibility. In Advent, this hope transforms us as we wait for Christ’s coming, inviting us to participate in God’s Dream of healing, forgiveness, and restoration.

Pray:

God of renewal, you bring hope into our brokenness and healing to our lives. Help us to live with faith like the paralyzed man’s friends, trusting in your power to forgive and transform. Prepare us for the new wine of your Kingdom, that we may embrace the changes you bring with joy and openness. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.