Jesus Loves Cripple People

Mephibosheth: Grandson of an enemy, became crippled by a fall when he and his caretaker were running away from King David. David invites this crippled boy to always sit at his table. Dine with him. Provide for him.

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Leading into this: Jesus has become so famous that He is unable to go anywhere without it becoming a PARTY. People want what He has to offer. So, Jesus decided to stay out of town in what Mark calls “desolate places”. Essentially, the wilderness, desert, a place where only people who want to be alone would go. Usually places without water, food, or shelter. Somewhere it would be hard to live.

But, Jesus is soo popular that people are even willing to go there to see Him. Crazy.

Mark 2:1 ESV

1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.

Word about a miracle worker spreads FAST!

Mark 2:2 ESV

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.

Notice Jesus’ focus is “preaching the word to them”.

Mark 2:3 ESV

3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

“they” being important characters to this story. It is “they” that are applauded by Jesus later.

The Paralytic man has no way to get to Jesus himself. He HAS to be carried by his friends.

Mark 2:4a (ESV)

4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd,

At this point, most people would give up. Most friends give up when they meet an obstacle because its not their buts on the line.

Mark 2:4 (ESV)

4 …they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

These dudes love their friend so much and believe that Jesus can help him so much that they actually dug a hole in the roof of the house Jesus is teaching in.

Do you have friends like that?

Are you a friend like that?

Mark 2:5 ESV

5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Who’s faith does it say Jesus saw?

The friends

Jesus is prompted to intervene in the life of this helpless man simply due to the faith of the man’s loving and believing friends.

Notice the first thing Jesus takes care of…

Is it the man’s physical paralysis?

No. It’s his soul paralysis. All people are cripple in their souls!

He forgives the man’s sins!

Mark 2:6a (ESV)

6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there...

Here’s some religious people… Really “good” and “upright”. Someone who knows the bible really well. Someone who goes to church every week. Someone who tithes more money than almost everybody else. Someone with lots of power who likes to tell everyone else how they should live and why he is better than them! What’s he gonna do?

Mark 2:6–7 ESV

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?”

The whole point the scribes are there is because they’ve also heard about what Jesus can do. They aren’t ignorant to His authority.

But, here they are, questioning Jesus. Not having open hearts and minds about Him.

Mark 2:8 ESV

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?

Mark 2:9 ESV

9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?

Jesus knows their deepest thoughts and motives. So, in order to expose their hypocrisy, he poses a very very good question.

Essentially he says… “Words are meaningless without authority. Anyone can say something blasphemous and it have little power over what they claim it has, but if someone says something that is authoritative and you see the authority DO SOMETHING, doesn’t that make what was said earlier more trustworthy?

Mark 2:10 ESV

10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—

Mark 2:11 ESV

11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

Mark 2:12 ESV

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 has the authority to both heal your body and your soul.

He proves it!

Here are the two things I’m trying to get you guys to understand tonight.

Whatever you have going on in your life… JESUS CARES! He wants you to come to him with you problem. With your pain. With your unbelief. He wants YOU! HE LOVES YOU! And He is available NOW!

Healing of body

Healing of soul

healing of situation

You have loads of people in your life who also need what Jesus can do for them! You can’t be a savior to everyone. ONLY JESUS CAN!

If you are worried about someone or concerned that they are in trouble. TAKE THEM TO JESUS WITH YOU!! PRAY PRAY PRAY.

Jesus cares about you and those you care about.

Remember the story of Mephibosheth.

Jesus is WAY BETTER than King David.

King David showed kindness to the cripple Mephibosheth because King David loved Mephibosheth’s dad, Jonathan. But KING JESUS SHOWS KINDNESS TO ALL BECAUSE KING JESUS LOVES ALL!

Close your eyes

Who are you bringing to Jesus?

Do you believe Jesus can heal the people in your life that need healing.

Heal their bodies?

Heal their souls?

Do you believe Jesus can heal you?