Healing: Mark 1:40-45; 2:1-12; 3:1-6; 7:31-37; 10:46-52

Introduction

Jesus Heals a Leper

Mark 1:40–45 KJV

40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Context:

Galilee

Peter and Andrew’s house

Leprosy

God had given the Israelites very specific instructions on how to deal with leprosy and other skin infections (Leviticus 13).

Anyone suspected of having this disease had to go to a priest for examination (Leviticus 13:2-3).

If found to be infected, “the leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:45-46).

The leper then was considered utterly unclean—physically and spiritually.

Incurable by man, many believed God inflicted the curse of leprosy upon people for the sins they committed.

In fact, those with leprosy were so despised and loathed that they were not allowed to live in any community with their own people (Numbers 5:2).

Among the sixty-one defilements of ancient Jewish laws, leprosy was second only to a dead body in seriousness.

A leper wasn’t allowed to come within six feet of any other human, including his own family.

The disease was considered so revolting that the leper wasn’t permitted to come within 150 feet of anyone when the wind was blowing.

Lepers lived in a community with other lepers until they either got better or died.

Leprosy is God’s picture for sin

Desensitizes until it deforms. Lose feeling in fingers and toes first so pain couldn’t warn of injury. Rub until the skin was so damaged it fell of then so scabbed and calloused is hardened.

Debilitates until death. Leprosy would cause the body and mind to become gradually weaker until it was impossible to live.

Separates us from God

Only cured by Jesus

Jesus commanded him to say nothing, disobeys but when we’ve been forgiven from the death penalty of sin the way this man was freed from the death of leprosy, we can’t help but to say something to those around us.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Mark 2:1–12 KJV

1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Context

Capernaum

All had heard Jesus was there and healing so they all came and so packed the place you couldn’t get through the door and even if you could you couldn’t get through the crowd to Jesus

Jesus saw their faith Mark 2:5 “5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”

This was a group effort: the one who couldn’t walk knew he needed to get to Jesus and he had four friends that loved him enough to get him there!

Jesus didn’t just heal him immediately to get him out of the way, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”

Jesus was not just doing something for the one that couldn’t walk or the four that carried him; He was doing something for the scribes to. Miracles don’t just give witness to the power and person of Jesus. They testify against those who refuse to come in judgement.

The Scribes were right about one thing in Mark 2:6–7 “6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” Only God can forgive sins. Every sin you commit is against God so only he has the authority to forgive. They just refused to see Jesus for who He truly was, God in the flesh.

He proves it Mark 2:8–11 “8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.”

I can picture that room Mark 2:12 “12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.”

Jesus Heals a Man on the Sabbath

Mark 3:1–6 KJV

1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. 2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. 4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Context was on the Sabbath

First aid was deemed permissible to prevent an injury from worsening, but efforts toward a cure were regarded as work and must wait the passing of the Sabbath.

A withered hand was obviously not life-threatening and did not qualify as an exception to the Sabbath rules. Indeed, “they may not straighten a deformed body or set a broken limb [on the Sabbath]” (m. Shab. 22:6).

“To do good or to do evil” refers to Jesus’ response to the unfortunate man; “to save life or to kill” refers to the observers’ response to Jesus.

Death by the Pharisees and life by Jesus is Mark’s irony

Mark 3:2 “2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.” Mark 3:6 “6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.”

Mark 3:4 “4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.”

Jesus angered: Mark 3:5 “5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”

Opposite of love isn’t hate, it can be equally passionate toward someone.

Opposite of love is indifference. The worst kind of indifference is that toward God which is rebellion. “The greatest enemy of divine love and justice is not opposition, not even malice, but hardness of heart and indifference to divine grace”

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man

Mark 7:31–37 KJV

31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; 37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Context

Jesus Heals Bartimaeus

Mark 10:46–52 KJV

46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Context

Conclusion

Leper: Is Jesus willing to heal me?

Mark 1:40 “40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”

Mark 1:41 “41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.”

Paralytic: Does Jesus really know your need?

the faith of the friends

Mark 2:4 “4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.”

Mark 2:5 “5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”

Mark 2:10–11 “10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.”

Withered hand:

Deaf and Mute:

Bartimaeus: Is there a place for me in the Kingdom of God?

Mark 10:46 “46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.”

by the road begging

Mark 10:52 “52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”

On the road following - being a disciple. Faith that doesn’t lead to discipleship is not saving faith.

Bartimaeus was blind,

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 “3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

It’s a terrifying thought if you cannot see that you need a savior! If you think because you are a good person and don’t need Jesus, you are BLIND! And if you think it’s just time that stops you, you’re clueless too. Psalm 14:1 “1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” And more terrifying is the thought that God heard enough of your “no’s” to give you what you wanted: Romans 1:28–32 “28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

The Good News is that if that thought does terrify you, it’s not too late: Luke 7:22–23 “22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Isaiah 35:4–6 “4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”

Jesus told Bartimaeus to come and even before he could see, God gave him the grace to get to Jesus:

Mark 10:49–50 “49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.”

He came to Jesus in faith believing Jesus was the Messiah, the savior he needed and that Jesus was able:

Hebrews 11:6 “6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 10:8–10 “8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

If by the grace of God this morning you see you need a savior; find some friends of yours that can get you to Jesus by sharing the Gospel with you. If you can’t think of a friend you believe knows Jesus, message us, message another church. Call 1-800-Need Him (