Who would you most like to introduce to Jesus?
Over last couple of weeks, we have seen Jesus demonstrate his authority as the Son of God by casting a demon out of a man in the synagogue, and by healing the leper. In this section of Mark, we see that demonstrates Jesus’ authority through a number of miraculous works, today we are going to Jesus demonstrate his authority through the healing of the paralytic.
"And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Jesus had returned to Capernaum after touring the towns Galilee with his disciples. Before he had left Capernaum, he had cleansed a man from a demon in the synagogue and healed many in the town at Peter House—the word was out- Jesus is back and the town met him at Peter’s house where we have this colorful story of the healing of the paralytic.
JESUS IS PLEASED WHEN WE HAVE FAITH FOR OTHERS
Four men carried a paralytic man to Jesus but the door is blocked by the crowd.
The ‘Crowd’ is a negative theme in Marks Gospel. Jesus gained popularity with crowd because of the miraculous works that he was doing—but Mark’s gospel the crowd is seen as spiritual thrill seekers who never repent to believe the gospel. But Jesus was not looking for thrill seekers, he preached,
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” (1:14-15).
The ‘crowd’ blocked the entrance preventing true seekers from being able to reach Jesus. Later these crowds will cry out against him, “Crucify him!” (15:13).
The ‘crowd’ always surrounds JC! Outside they spread doubt against him and inside they want the benefits without repenting and believing the gospel
Have you repented and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ? Have you moved past thrill seeking?
Jesus is always willing to heal. But sometimes he prolongs healing in order to build our faith!
We need to be careful to not allow the spiritual goodies of our salvation to block others from reaching Jesus for salvation!
These four men had the faith to find a way to bring their friend to Jesus! These men dug through the mud, sticks and beams of the roof and lower him down to Jesus!
Jesus is pleased when our faith will relentlessly move any obstacle to get others to Jesus!
Who are you willing to carry past the crowd to get to Jesus? Who need you to remove obstacles to reach Jesus? Are you willing?
The reason God exercises our faith with trials, temptations, and corrects us is so we will become relentless in faith! So that we are able to carry others to him!
Jesus saw the faith of the four friends and he was pleased!
“Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb 11:6).
It is not clear what these men believed about Jesus, but it is clear that they believed that their paralytic friend would receive the reward of their faith, if they could just draw near!
Are drawing other near to God? You can’t draw them unless you are drawing near yourself! Draw near to God every morning! Draw near to his word and be filled! Draw near to his fellowship!
JESUS HAS THE AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS
When Jesus saw the faith of these men, he responded in a way no one was expecting! He said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” What is going on here?
Was Jesus using this man’s paralysis as a means to set the stage? No, that is uncharacteristic of his compassion. Besides, he called the man, “Son” a term of affection and compassion.
Was his sickness a result of his sin? Jesus would not have forgiven him if it were no so! Unbelief and Pride are the primary sins! He most likely held back his belief by blaming God! He probably refused to acknowledge God in his need! It was a big step of faith to put down his pride and allow his friends to carry him into this crowd—who would have known he would be lowered by ropes right into the middle of this crowd!
Are you holding back your belief from God? Are you so busy blaming God that you no longer come to him? Are you holding back your own healing by blaming God for your condition? Jesus always accepts those who turn to him from hard places!
The Scribes accused and questioned Jesus in their hearts!
Jesus, who limited his divinity as man, is operating in the Spirit with the gift of supernatural knowledge of what was in the hearts of these scribes!
The scribes were right about the Law, but wrong about Jesus! The scribes were responding to the Law:
The Priest could not forgive sins! Even a priest could not forgive sins—He had to offer absolution of sins on the Day of Atonement through sacrifices!
Only God can forgive sins because all sin is against God!
“For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
And done what is evil in your sight…” (Ps 54:3,4)
And only God could forgive his sin…
“I acknowledge my sin to you,
and I did not cover my inquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’
And you forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Ps 32:5).
Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man! While Mark refers to him as the Son of God, Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man. This signified both his divinity and his humanity. This title comes from a vision of Jesus’ kingdom victory in Daniel,
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-15).
Jesus demonstrated his authority to forgive sins by healing the paralytic man!
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home” (2:11)
This outward sign gave proof of Jesus’ authority for the inward work of forgiveness! The Son of God has the authority to forgive sins!
Jesus could forgive this man of all his sins! Jesus could heal this man of physical paralysis! But could he heal the scribes of their spiritual paralysis?
Who do you what to bring to Christ? Do they need to be forgiven? Healed? Delivered? Are they all messed up? Are they carrying burdens so large that they need to be carried? Will you carry them in prayer? I don’t mean mentioning them in your occasional prayers—I mean carry them in your prayers!
He has the authority to forgive them! He has the authority to cleanse them! He has the authority to heal them!
Do you believe that? Then what holding you back?
This article is part of a series on the Gospel of Mark entitled, 'Son of God--Servant to Man'.
This message was preached February 19, 2017 at Living Water Foursquare Chapel in Yucca Valley California.
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