There is a strong contrast in today’s scripture readings. Again, relying on Ched Myers’ analysis, we can see that Jesus is repudiating the debt code of the hierarchical leaders in Israel. Forgiving the sins of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof is blasphemy to the religious leaders who want to continue the oppression of the debt code over the crowd (ochlos) that follows Jesus.

The “crowd” according to Myers and Korean theologian, Byung-mu, is the 99% of today. One characteristic of the crowd is that ‘[t]hey are alienated from the Jewish leadership, and thus largely supportive of Jesus in his struggle against that leadership.” Sound familiar? Continue reading →