8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:8-12

Jesus affirmed His authority on earth and stunned everyone by healing the man right on the spot. This no doubt infuriated the leaders and they’d make up some blaspheming accusation to try to pin on Him. Jesus healed the man physically and spiritually and He made it clear as to what He had just accomplished.

Part of Jesus’ ministry of healing and salvation was showing the people the distinctions between Him and the religious leaders without actually pointing them out. They people saw what He did and they also heard the accusations against Him. They were smart enough to figure out that His doing was significantly more important than their whining about Him doing. Or at the very least they were still trying to process it all. The people hadn’t quite seen someone like this.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit has to show people who they are before they come to repentance. They must come to the end of themselves to see at least part of their condition. This takes time and prayer. God’s answers to those prayers is very rarely on our timetable and if it is it’s only by sheer “even a blind squirrel finds an acorn occasionally” luck, not because something you planned but because of something God planned.

So, that wayward friend or relative? Keep praying. You’ve prayed every which way to Sunday but don’t give up. God is still trying to reveal Himself to them in the way they can only relate. Don’t get disheartened because you really never know what’s going on in their hearts.