Proof that Jesus is God

Mark 2:1–13 NASB95

When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? “But so 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, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.” And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them.

I. Introduction

a. Last week we talked about why Jesus was telling the demons and certain people not to go tell everyone what He did. We saw that He had a mission and an agenda and if he was hampered by people pulling at Him and demanding His time, He would not be able to accomplish what He stated in Mark 1:38, “He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”

b. We discussed that His mission was to go throughout Israel and Samaria preaching the gospel about Himself.

c. This week Jesus is back in Capernaum. According to scripture Jesus had moved from Nazareth to Capernaum, Matthew 4:12-13, “Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.”

d. Capernaum, it is located on the northern side of the Sea of Galilee. It existed between 2nd Century BCE to 7 Century AD. It was estimated to have about 1500 residents. The major sites of Capernaum is the Synagogue and about 30 meters south of the Synagogue is the house of Simon Peter.

e. So when the scriptures says in Mark 2:1, “When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home.” It very well could be Peter’s house or a house that Jesus lived in since he moved from Nazareth to Capernaum.

g. Capernaum was like the headquarters of where Jesus launched His ministry. Throughout His ministry it is noted that He returned to Capernaum.

II. The multitudes

a. However due to the proclamation of Him throughout the country side, He found Himself in a house completely surrounded by people.

b. Now this is significant that the house was surrounded by people and when the four men that brought the paralytic to him was not able to enter via the door. However they were determined to this man to Jesus, which brings me to a teaching that Jesus taught in Luke 18.

c. Luke 18:1-8, “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. “There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ “For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ ” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

d. Jesus is looking for people who will not give up until they get what is needed from Him. These four men bringing that paralytic was bound and determined to get Him to Jesus.

III. Faith and Forgiveness

a. Note how the scriptures states, Mark 2:5, “And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

b. Jesus seeing their faith.

c. In Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

d. Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit in Romans 14:23, “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.”

e. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast,”

f. Faith in Jesus Christ, that He is, that He died, buried and rose again, is what saves us. Without faith it is impossible to please God and to be saved, you must believe.

g. Here is what happens when someone has faith, they kick into action just like these four men.

h. James 2:14-26, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”

i. Doing works does not save you, having faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross, burial and resurrection saves you, but from that will bring forth the good works, which is faith in action.

j. But being saved you still need to put faith into action, by coming to Christ and repent. You still have to take that step and accept Him.

IV. Proof when Paralytic Healed

a. The Pharisees, the first thing they did was when they heard Jesus tell the paralytic your sins are forgiven is to accuse Him, even though they might have said this in their minds and hearts.

b. Mark and Luke just stated that Jesus said, why do you think these things, where in Matthew it shows Jesus calling out their evil intentions, Matthew 9:3-6, “And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.” And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’? “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.”

c. Now although Jesus wanted to forgive the man’s sin, which may indicate the reason for his paralysis was due to sin, but also to show all of them that He was God in the flesh.

d. Jesus said you are forgiven and the performed the miracle of healing the paralytic to prove that He had authority to forgive sins.

V. Summary

This scripture shows that through and by Jesus Christ comes forgiveness of sin. He proving the point by stating to the paralytic your sins are forgiven, then the miracle. Now I do ponder that reason this man was paralyzed was due to sin, but the whole exercise was to prove that He was God and had the authority to forgive sins.

Also, that having faith that Jesus Christ is able to heal, to save, to forgive and we putting that faith into action will render results if we do not faint. Galatians 6:9, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”