What You Really Need

Introduction:

This morning we are going to be diving into one of the most beloved passages of Scripture. The paralytic man who is brought to Jesus by his friends.

In the ancient world, poverty and disease went hand in hand. Beggars were often disabled or chronically ill. It is not clear if this man carried on a mat was a beggar or not, but the picture I believe Mark draws is reminiscent of street scenes from around the globe today.

There are three major needs in our lives, that we will explore in this Bible study:

Frienship

Forgiveness

and Jesus

vv. 1-5) You need this kind of friendship:

Something that we need to keep in mind when considering the traditions of first-century Galilee is that there is a close association between disease and sin. Many of the people listening to Jesus preach the gospel in that house would have assumed that the man who lay on the mat had committed a sin, or his family committed sin for which God had judged him.

That is truly fascinating about this passage is that Jesus is prompted to heal because of the man’s sin, but because of the faith of his four friends. These friends came to Jesus; because he preached about the kingdom of God, and whenever he preached, the king of God drew nearer: lepers were cleansed, the sick were healed, the powers of darkness fled, and ordinary people found true purpose and direction for their lives.

It is very clear from the intrusive behavior of these four men that they expected something powerful to happen when Jesus preached, which was exactly what he was doing when they began to tear the roof apart.

[1] Jesus is again enters Capernaum, that dark and unbelieving city. Remember that it was this city that had a demon possessed man in the synagogue without feeling out of place. Jesus would proclaim judgement upon this city a little later on:

Matthew 11:23–24 NKJV

23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

[2] What we see from these four friends is a direct correlation of the events that took place in the previous chapter. Mark 1:28 At this point in Christ’s earthly ministry, He attracted a crowd wherever He went.

Mark 1:28 NKJV

28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

One of reasons I believe Jesus told people that He healed not to share with others was to avoid situations like this. “Many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them.” What we are going to find is that a lot of the “followers/disciples” of Christ are only seeking Him out for their own gain and amusement. However those who truly need Christ are left outside.

Family we cannot become a church that is so focused on ourselves that we fail to bring those who truly need Christ.

I pray that our concern as a church would be twofold.

Concerned for the souls of men, women, and children and that we would be eager to proclaim the Gospel message to all.

Concerned that we are rightly walking with God for His glory.

We all need the kind of friendships that will get us to Jesus by any means necessary.

Not only do we need the kind of friends who bring us to Jesus, we need to be the kind of friend who brings others to Jesus.

We need people around us with the right type of faith and the right amount of willingness.

vv. 5-8) You need this kind of forgiveness:

Our greatest need is not the one that is alway glaringly obvious.

We need forgiveness for our sins more than relief from our circumstances.

Jesus is able to go beyond what we ask in order to provide for us what we need.

vv. 9-12) You need this kind of Jesus:

Jesus never indicated that this interruption to His sermon was ever outside of His plan.

The reaction of the crowd and the response of Jesus clarified the speculation—Jesus claimed to be God.

Jesus validated His authority to give by proving His ability to heal.

Application/Challenge:

Have you ever received the forgiveness that Jesus is offering you?

Is there a friend you need to get to Jesus by whatever means necessary?