Mark 2:1-12

Mark 2:1–12 KJV (WS)

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.

Introduction

There are lots of different kinds of people in the world.

There are lots of different kinds of people in our lives.

Some people, every time you are around them, they are an encouragement.

Others, are like walking rainclouds dumping on anyone gets too close.

People also have different spiritual effects on others.

Some people, when you are around them, the Holy Spirit shines through and you can feel the positive impact they are having.

Others, are a constant source of temptation.

Gossip.

Lust

Doubt

They drain the spirituality from the most hardy believer with their carnality.

While we cannot control how others are, we should consider what kind of effect we have on other people.

Jesus comes back to Capernaum. vss 1-2

Jesus left the city in triumph, he returns under suspicion.

One of the features of Mark’s gospel, that I’ve failed to mention previously, is that he is really not overly concerned with chronology.

So it’s hard from Mark alone to tell how much time has passed.

Instead, Mark links stories that go together.

Thus, this is the first of five controversies.

This situation takes place within a house.

It is probably Peter’s house.

Some have said that Jesus had his own house in Capernaum and that this was the location of this episode.

We are going to approach this passage as if this were Peter’s house

What we are about to read is given from an eyewitness’s perspective.

Their are details that would only be included by someone that was there for this event.

Of course Peter would remember details about the day that some guys tore the roof off of his house.

It didn’t take long for word to spread that Jesus was back in town.

Immediately people made their way to the house where he was staying.

The scene in this passage is quite a bit different than the last scene Jesus went through in Capernaum.

Instead of gathering on Peter’s lawn, they are filling the house.

Instead of clamoring for a miracle they are listening to Jesus teach.

Mark says that there are so many people in the house, that they can’t fit anymore people.

Mark is specific about the doors being blocked.

It sets up the obstacle for the rest of the story.

Jesus is in the process of preaching the word to them, when some more people show up to the house.

A group of men try to bring their friend to Jesus. vss 3-4

We aren’t told where these men came from.

I would assume they came from Capernaum.

Imagine for a minute what they had been through over the last several weeks.

Here they have this friend with a great physical need.

He has a form of palsy.

Paralysis and palsy should not be confused.

One side of this man’s body had been rendered useless.

He could not walk or use his arm.

He probably had great difficulty talking.

One sabbath, a healer is in town and many, many of the people in town who had been sick had been healed.

Maybe they had heard too late and thy didn’t get to the house in time.

Maybe they heard about it the next day and they were outside of Peter’s house when Jesus went off to pray and never came back.

I can’t help but think they had beat themselves up for the last several weeks that they didn’t get their friend to Jesus in time for him to heal him.

So, imagine their excitement when they heard that Jesus had come back to the city.

They rushed around to get everything together to take their friend to Jesus.

This time, nothing would stand in their way.

These men acted upon the desire to see their friend helped.

Of course, then they get to the house and find that they can’t even get in the door.

Each of them feel the same sinking feeling of disappointment.

They are so close, they are not going to miss out on another opportunity to get their friend in front of Jesus.

All of us face difficulties in life.

Difficulties test and increase faith.

They develop ingenuity in getting over them.

They bring a rich harvest of satisfaction when conquered.

The men determine to climb the stairs up to the roof of Peter’s house.

What are they going to do up there?

They are going to unroof the house.

Uncovered the roof is literally they unroofed the roof.

I’ve always liked to think of two things that must have happened while these four friends were working

First, I picture Jesus preaching as grass and debris fall on him from the disturbance of the roof above him.

Second, I like to think of the palsied man laying there staring up into the sky listening to Jesus preach below him.

When the hole was finally big enough, the 4 friends each worked together to lower their friend through the roof, down in front of Jesus.

Some may have been glad for the interruption of teaching.

The rabbis may have frowned at the rude intrusion.

Peter might object to the damage to his roof.

Jesus read the action of the bearers and his love and power responded.

Jesus addresses this man’s greatest need. vss 5-9

The Bible says that Jesus saw and responded to their faith.

Their faith includes the faith of the palsied man.

He had been listening to Jesus preach the message of the gospel and he believed.

Jesus starts by referring to the man as “Son.”

Son = child.

Either he was a youth, younger than the 30 yr old, Jesus, or the dignity of the ancient one took hold.

The eternal son of God must have looked at all humans and thought, childddddd.

Jesus saw this man’s faith and responded by forgiving him of his sins.

Forgiveness was a far greater need for this man than healing.

By forgiving him, Jesus has gifted him the greatest blessing any of us can receive.

But, he has also simultaneously opened himself up to judgment.

There were religious leaders in the crowd, and they did not rejoice at Jesus’ proclamation.

They had been wondering why Jesus was drawing so much attention.

No one came crowding to them, nor did they hang on the words of their lips.

Who did he think he was?

Well now they had their answer.

Scribes knew that Jesus was claiming deity by his actions.

They were convinced that they had a clear case of blasphemy on their hands.

It was either that, or admit Jesus was who he said he was.

They weren’t about to admit that.

Jesus addresses this man’s most obvious need. vss 10-12

Jesus, of course knew what the scribes were thinking as soon as they thought it.

So he called them out on it.

He asks which is easier.

To say that sins are forgiven?

Or, to say rise up and walk.

Healing and forgiveness are both beyond man’s ability.

No way to see if sins were forgiven.

If he says rise, and the man doesn’t, then he is a liar.

In order to give a sign that validates his first miracle, Jesus performs a second miracle.

He does to prove that the Son of Man has power.

First instance of Jesus’ claim to Messianic title of Son of Man.

14x in Mark

Comes from Daniel 7:13 “13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.”

There is no unanimity and there is still mystery over Jesus’ self-chosen title.

Jesus avoided using Messiah, probably because of political connotations attached.

The Jews had not keyed in on the Son of Man title.

He tells the palsied man to do 3 things.

Arise.

Pick up his bed.

Go home.

Here is another instance of what was invisible becoming visible.

First, it was Jesus’ power.

Second’ it was this man’s faith.

If he believes that Christ has power to heal, he will try to do as he is bid.

Jesus always makes us able to do what he bids us to do.

The man got up and walked out of the house.

Imagine a camera panning to his friends on the roof.

First high-fiving

Then running down the steps to meet their friend at the door.

The act which eyes could see verified the act which no eyes could see.

The amazement was sudden.

Everyone was stunned by what they had seen.

Upon greater thought, they glorified God.

The more they considered what they had seen, the more they were convinced that God had done a great miracle.

The common people saw what the elites would not see.

Application

This text is a testament to God’s forgiveness and Jesus’ power.

It’s also a textbook on how people respond to God’s forgiveness and power.

When God does great things there are several ways humans respond.

Sometimes very spiritual people respond like the scribes.

Others, who either receive a show of power or are close to one who receives a touch from God, celebrate God’s miracle in their lives.

Still others stand on the outside and at first they are amazed, they are stunned, but as time goes on they become convinced of the miracle, and they glorify God.

I wonder which category you fall into?

If you are in the second or third group, ask yourself right now, is there someone that I need to bring to Jesus.

You could have a major influence on someone else’s life if you had faith that Jesus could change them.

How do you bring someone to Jesus to day?

Probably not on a bed carried by 4 people.

Talk to them

Invest in them.

Have them over to your house.

Take them to lunch.

Conclusion

Let’s not be like the scribes, judging what God is doing in/for others.

Let’s be like the 4 friends who had enough faith to believe that Jesus could help their friend.