Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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HUMAN NEED
In the text before us this afternoon, we have been made aware that Jesus is concerned about the the human perdicament.
Colossians 1:21 describes the problem as human estrangement and hostility.
The NT prominently portrays the need to be reconciled because of broken relationships and active enmity (Rom.
5:1–11; 2 Cor.
5:17–21; Eph.
2:13–16).
But this is only one of a number of ways the problem is described.
The following must be included in the broader picture of human need, combining explicit terminology used in the Scriptures and some implied descriptions of the human situation that requires God’s action in Christ:
alienation
domination (by evil)
rebellion
anxiety/fear
guilt
shame
bondage/slavery
lostness
sickness
boredom
nobody
strayed
despair/without hope
outside/foreigner
dirtiness
powerlessness
Each of these descriptions helps to complete our understanding of why the gospel of Christ is needed.
Christ meets persons in their hurting experiences.
From whatever point of need persons encounter Christ, God wills to transform them so that they become holy, blameless, and irreproachable before him.
Or, as Ephesians 4:13 puts it, God’s intent is that we all come to “the measure of the full stature of Christ.”
(Cf.
Shank: 137–156)
Martin, E. D. (1993).
Colossians, Philemon (p.
84).
Scottdale, PA: Herald Press.
What is Humanity's greatest need?
A MAN WITH A SERIOUS NEED
The text introduces us to a man with a serious problem.
Mark says that he is suffering from a debilitating disease called leprosy.
Leprosy was a
Generic term applied to a variety of skin disorders from psoriasis to true leprosy.
Its symptoms ranged from white patches on the skin to running sores to the loss of digits on the fingers and toes.
Brand, C., Draper, C., England, A., Bond, S., Clendenen, E. R., & Butler, T. C. (Eds.).
(2003).
Leprosy.
In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p.
1025).
Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers
When you read the “tests” for leprosy described in Leviticus 13, you can see how the disease is a picture of sin.
Like sin, leprosy is deeper than the skin (Lev.
13:3); it spreads (Lev.
13:5–8); it defiles and isolates (Lev.
13:44–46); and it renders things fit only for the fire (Lev.
13:47–59).
Anyone who has never trusted the Saviour is spiritually in worse shape than this man was physically.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996).
The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 114).
Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Central Idea
The Lord's Readiness (Verse 39-40)
Turn to Mark 1:39-40
Mark's narrative lets us in on the readiness of the Lord to attend to human need.
Mark makes this point by informing us of that before Jesus did anything, he got ready.
Mark says that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, filled with the spirit, and tested in the wilderness.
it was only after He had gotten ready that he started preaching, casting out demons, and healing.
Several centuries ago, a Japanese emperor commissioned an artist to paint a bird.
A number of months passed, then several years, and still no painting was brought to the palace.
Finally the emperor became so exasperated that he went to the artist's home to demand an explanation.
Instead of making excuses, the artist placed a blank canvas on the easel.
In less than an hour, he completed a painting that was to become a brilliant masterpiece.
When the emperor asked the reason for the delay, the artist showed him armloads of drawings of feathers, wings, heads, and feet.
Then he explained that all of this research and study had been necessary before he could complete the painting.
Our Daily Bread.
Application
The Lord's Able-ness
When the man with leprosy came to Jesus, he was fully confident in at least one thing.
He made it perfectly clear that he believed that the Lord was able.
look at Mark 1:40
I know you all say that you do; but, I just really need to do a house check today and see how many people in here really believe that the Lord is able.
Because if you really believed that He is able it ought to take away the stress, the pain, the hurt, the worry, the complaining.
So many are suffering from the unbelief syndrome and as a result are on the verge of nervous breakdowns, strokes, and heart attacks.
But, not the man in our text.
He hears of what the Lord has been doing in other places and for other people and comes to the conclusion that if He did that for them...He is able to do this for me.
I love that today, because his was not just a small case of leprosy.
From Matthew we learn that it took place after the sermon on the mount; and yet not at the very close of his missionary circuit.
St. Luke (5:12) says that the diseased man was as “full of leprosy” (πλήρης λέπρας).
The disorder was fully developed; it had spread over his whole body; he was leprous from head to foot.
And yet this man cries out "You Can"!
Let's be sure that we have our facts straight.
In Mark 9:22 we read about a father whose son is being severely tormented by the devil, who in his desperation remarks to Jesus : "if you can do anything".
Look at the stark difference between the two: One was doubtful and the other was confident.
Which one are you?
There's no question of His greatness, no searching of His Power.
Oh the wonder of His glory, to Him 40 years is but 1 hour.
His knowledge is all encompassing, to His wisdom there is no end!
Of Course "He is able"
Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.).
(1909).
St. Mark (Vol. 1, p. 7).
London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.
His Willingness
The Leper, in violation of the law, come near to Jesus.
The text says he came beseeching and bowing, bending and begging.
He is not requested material things, His is asking to be cleansed.
He says to the Lord, I know you can...Will you?
The writer Mark says that the approach and the request affected Jesus: "He was moved with compassion".
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