This is My Story 1: Jesus changes everything (Mark 2:1–12)

Key Idea: Jesus meets us in our story, speaks to our real need, and brings the miracle of forgiveness and transformation.

Series Introduction: What Is a Story? 0:00–4:00 –

We’ve all experienced the wonder of a good story.

Maybe it was your dad, mom, grandma, or grandpa. Maybe a youth leader or a friend. Someone who could just tell it—the kind of story that pulled you in and left something with you.

Why? Because we are story people.

Our arts—painting, sculpture, drawing, music—exist to tell stories. Even instrumental music, without a single lyric, carries a story. Why? Because it engages you. It pulls on your emotions and invites your imagination. You become part of it.

We are story people.

Right now, I could start describing a commercial from 15 years ago and many of you would remember it. Why? Because it told a story.

Do you remember the old “Got Milk?” ad? A man is in a car accident and wakes up in a beautiful white room—plates of fresh, warm chocolate chip cookies everywhere. He says, “This must be heaven.” He starts devouring cookies, one after another. But soon, he needs something to wash them down. He searches for milk. Carton after carton—every single one is empty. He looks around, confused, and then stares into the camera and asks, “Where am I?” The screen cuts to the words Got Milk?, which then burst into flames.

I remembered that whole thing from just one viewing. It stuck with me.

And it’s not just commercials. We love movies—because if they’re done well, they tell powerful stories.

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” You already know what that’s from. That opening line alone carries a whole universe of meaning for some of us.

Books, too—there are series I’ve read over and over again, not just because they’re entertaining, but because they’ve actually shaped how I see life. That’s the power of story. And it reminds me: stories form us.

Which raises an important question: Am I even aware of the stories that are shaping me?

Because stories do more than entertain. They shape our worldview. They inform how we see humanity. They affect how we think about God—even if He’s not mentioned at all.

You might hear a story and think, “That didn’t have anything to do with God.” And I would say, that’s the point. It’s a story that’s forming you with a worldview that excludes Him.

Just like we’re all worshiping something, we’re all being shaped by stories. Some are good. Some are toxic. Some are true. Some are fables full of manipulation and lies.

But one thing is always true: they shape us.

“That’s why we’re doing this series—This Is My Story. Because the Bible isn’t just a collection of rules or religious sayings. It’s a library of stories that all point to one central truth: Jesus changes everything.

And today, we start with one of my favorite Jesus stories—because it shows how He doesn’t just deal with the surface, He goes straight to the heart of what is needed. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unseen, ashamed, or just exhausted trying to fix yourself or achieve perfection. —this is your story.

Turn with me to Mark 2:1-2 as we come to the story of the Paralytic man. I want to read the whole story now to you…

Mark 2:1-12 Narrative:

Jesus had been away for a few days, but when He returned to Capernaum, word spread quickly that He was back home. The news caused an immediate stir, and soon a huge crowd had gathered, filling the house to overflowing, with people standing outside just to hear Him speak. Inside, Jesus was teaching them the word of God, but amidst the crowd, something unexpected was about to happen.

Four men, determined to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus, arrived at the scene. But when they saw how packed the house was, they realized there was no way through the crowd. They weren’t going to let that stop them. So, thinking quickly, they climbed up onto the roof, dug through it, and lowered their friend down on his mat right in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith—how they refused to give up and fought through the barriers—He looked at the paralyzed man and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But not everyone in the room was pleased. Some of the teachers of the law, who had been observing Jesus closely, were immediately skeptical. They thought to themselves, "Why does this man speak like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus, knowing exactly what they were thinking, didn’t let it slide. He turned to them and asked, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But so you know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” With that, He turned to the paralyzed man and said, “I tell you, get up, take your mat, and go home.”

And in that instant, the man stood up, picked up his mat, and walked right out in front of everyone. The crowd was left speechless, completely astounded by what they had just witnessed. They couldn’t help but praise God, marveling, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Story Framework

God’s word is so good and His story is rich with truth as it helps us understand us, the world, and most importantly how Jesus changes everything.

To help us today, I want to encourage you to think about this story in light of 5 things that are found in every story.

To help us step into these encounters, we’re going to use a simple story framework each week. You’ll see it in the Gospel text, and hopefully, you’ll see it in your own life too. Here’s the framework:

1. Setting – Where and How does the story begin? What’s the background?

2. Conflict – What’s broken? What needs to change?

3. Encounter – Where does Jesus step in?

4. Change – What happens when Jesus moves?

5. Aftermath – What’s the ripple effect? Who all is affected?

Every story has these parts. And so does the story we’re reading today. Let us begin in verse 1 with the setting.

1. Setting (vv. 1–2)

Our passage is found Mark, that is the Gospel of Mark, likely the earliest written. One way to look at Mark is in terms of a movie genre. If we were to pick a movie genre for the gospel of mark, it would be Action/Thriller. High-octane as the movie posters like to say… focused on what Jesus did, not just what He said. Mark jumps right into the action with no birth story and uses words like “immediately” often. It’s like a high-stakes, high-energy film showing Jesus on the move, confronting darkness with power and urgency.

Drawn from Peter’s eyewitness accounts, it’s fast-paced and aimed at a Gentile audience, highlighting Jesus’ actions, miracles, and His journey to the cross. That is the literary setting of our story….lots of action.

In our story, we begin with Jesus in Capernaum. But look beyond the facts and figures….see the story……you see a fishing village on the Sea of Galillee….a place full of spiritually hungry and economically oppressed people. This setting reveals a community caught in the grip of both Roman occupation and religious expectation, where hope was scarce, but rumors of Jesus' miracles were spreading quickly and everyone had something on a list….healing, provision, ending of suffering. Everyone had a need.

The "home" mentioned here is likely Peter’s house (Mark 1:29), where Jesus had previously stayed and becomes a hub for his ministry in this area.

Houses in ancient Israel were typically two or more stories. The ground level was reserved for animals and working space. The second was living area. Sons often built onto their parents' house to make their own family's quarters, which explains why Andrew and Peter still lived together.

As word of His return spreads, the house is packed, emphasizing that Jesus is not just a healer, but a teacher. Mark specifically says that He was “speaking the word,” which signals that His primary mission was not to perform signs but to preach the Kingdom of God.

Interestingly, we see elsewhere in Luke 5:17 that "the power of the Lord was with him (Jesus) to heal," showing that even in a teaching moment, the authority to heal was present—subtle yet evident. This dual focus of teaching and healing reveals the tension between the physical and spiritual needs Jesus addresses.

Just looking at the setting, we find a glimpse into how this affects us today.

Application: In our own lives, the “setting” can often feel crowded with distractions and unmet expectations. Yet, Jesus is ready to speak His word to us in the midst of the noise. Psalm 139:3 reminds us that God is intimately aware of our circumstances: “You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” He knows where our story begins better than we do.

2. Conflict (vv. 3–4)

In verse 3 and 4, we see a conflict put in the spotlight. The conflict shines bright when the paralyzed man and his friends face an obstacle—there’s no way through the crowd to reach Jesus. He is completely dependent on others.

In the ancient world, paralysis was not only physically limiting but socially isolating. There were no wheelchairs, no disability rights—he would have been considered weak, possibly even cursed by God (cf. John 9:2). His physical state reflects a deeper truth: human helplessness in the face of sin and brokenness.

There is an overwhelming sense of powerlessness in his situation. His friends, however, refuse to let this barrier stop them. They climb up onto the roof, tear through it, and lower him before Jesus. When I read this story, I often like to think about which friends would do that for me.

I think about that because these friends show their persistence and their faith in Jesus’ ability to heal. These are good friends to have in a conflict. Foxhole friends. Ones who don’t run when things get bad. But stay and help you through it. There is more behind this conflict that just physical though.

Exegesis: The physical barrier of the crowd is symbolic of deeper spiritual barriers. There is a spiritual paralysis in the crowd brought on by pride, doubt and a spiritual blindness that keeps people from encountering Jesus. There is a clash between faith and skepticism, especially from the religious leaders who are questioning Jesus' authority.

Skepticism is a dangerous road to stay on.

Proverbs 3:5–6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Skepticism often arises from over-relying on human reasoning. Faith requires trusting beyond what we can figure out.

But these friends are push on through the skepticism with their faith and commitment to bring their friend to Him.

They are digging through the roof to drop him into the house. An enormous amount of work and honestly, shameless. All the people in the house would look up and being offended that someone was doing this. His friends are demonstrating bold, barrier-breaking belief. The man is paralyzed not just physically but spiritually, and it’s his friends’ faith that brings him into the presence of Jesus.

Application: How often do we feel blocked by circumstances? The man’s story shows us that we don’t have to face barriers alone. Sometimes, it takes the persistence of others to bring us into the presence of Jesus.

God loves overcoming the barriers we face for His glory and our good. In Ephesians, we see the barrier between Jew and Gentile. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14) Yet Christ overcomes this barrier.

3. Encounter (v. 5)

This is the pivotal moment. Jesus’ response to the paralytic’s faith isn’t what the crowd expects. Instead of immediately healing the man physically, He addresses the deeper issue—sin. Jesus sees the faith of the friends and the man himself, but rather than focusing solely on his legs, He focuses on his heart.

Exegesis:

When Jesus tells the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” He is making a profound claim of divine authority. In Jewish tradition, only God can forgive sins, and the religious leaders recognize this, questioning Jesus’ right to do so (Mark 2:7). By forgiving the man’s sins, Jesus is not only asserting His identity as God but also highlighting the deeper spiritual need that goes beyond physical healing. The paralytic’s primary need was not to walk, but to be reconciled to God, and Jesus addresses that first. This moment foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate mission—to provide forgiveness through His death on the cross, making this divine forgiveness available to all who believe in Him.

Furthermore, Jesus’ words reveal His authority to heal both body and soul. In Mark 2:10, He declares, “So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” and then He heals the man to demonstrate His divine power. The physical healing acts as a visible sign of the spiritual restoration He offers. Jesus is showing that true healing begins with forgiveness, inviting all people—not just to experience physical restoration, but to receive spiritual reconciliation with God. In doing so, He not only confirms His divine authority but also invites us into the deeper, eternal healing of forgiveness and grace.

Application: Many times, we approach Jesus with our physical or circumstantial needs, but Jesus often meets us at a deeper level, addressing the things within us that need healing most. Jesus offers us forgiveness before anything else.

4. Change (vv. 10–11)

Here, Jesus affirms His authority to forgive sins by performing a visible, tangible miracle. He tells the man to take up his mat—a symbol of his former condition—and walk, showing that the healing isn’t just spiritual but physical as well. The man’s obedience demonstrates the power of Jesus’ word to change both the heart and the body.

Exegesis: The phrase "Son of Man" is significant. It’s a title Jesus frequently uses for Himself, derived from Daniel 7:13-14, which links His authority to the divine figure who has dominion over all. By using this title, Jesus explicitly connects His healing power to His identity as the Messiah, who has authority to forgive sins and restore life in every way.

Application: The change Jesus brings is not just partial—it’s total. He heals completely, and the mat the man once laid on is now the very thing he carries, symbolizing the complete transformation that occurs when we encounter Jesus.

5. Aftermath (v. 12)

The aftermath is immediate and public. The man doesn’t leave quietly; he stands as a testimony to the power of Jesus. The crowd’s response is one of awe and worship—“We have never seen anything like this!”

Exegesis: The immediate transformation and the public nature of it emphasize that the encounter with Jesus is meant to be a public testimony. The man’s healing leads others to glorify God, highlighting the ripple effect that occurs when we encounter Jesus. His story is not just for him; it becomes a testimony that points others to the glory of God.

Application: The story of Jesus’ intervention in our lives is never just for us—it is meant to be shared. When we experience the change He brings, it impacts those around us and leads them to glorify God.

LOUISE’S STORY

And that’s not just something from 2,000 years ago. That’s still happening. Right here in our church family.

I want you to hear from one of our own—Louise Weigel. Louise didn’t grow up knowing Jesus. And then, she faced a deep loss—the kind of loss that shakes you to the core. She lost her daughter in a fire.

But Jesus met her there. Not with quick answers or clichés—but with presence. With care. With consolation.

Let’s watch her story together.

Play Louise’s video testimony

CLOSING & RESPONSE

Every story with Jesus is different—but every story starts the same: broken people, meeting a merciful Savior.

So what’s your story?

Where are you in this five-part journey? Are you stuck in the setting? Believing that perhaps God isn’t in your setting?

Are you weighed down in conflict in your needs like money or relationships or identity? Are you hoping someday someone will come to your rescue? Are you waiting for an encounter? To come into the presence of the living God found in Christ?

Or maybe Jesus has already met you—and now you’re walking in the change. Perhaps you have lost sight of the change. It is there but you don’t feel it. The Holy Spirit can remind you of who you are in Christ and where your help comes from. If your eyes are open, there is a story to tell everyday of how Jesus changes everything for the Father’s glory and our good.

Maybe it’s time to share your story. Share with your family. Share with your kids. Share your story with your friends. Tell the story of God, long before you knew him, saved you.

This is your invitation.

To bring your mat to Jesus. To let Him speak into your real need. To rise, forgiven and free. To let your story become a testimony.

Because this is your story. And Jesus is the one who rewrites it.

Let us pray

Benediction

May the love of God the Father, who sees beyond our outward need and knows our deepest brokenness, watch over you and sustain you.

May the grace of Jesus Christ the Son, who has the authority to forgive sins and the power to make all things new, restore you and lead you in His mercy.

And may the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, who draws us into community and gives us faith to rise and walk, go with you now and always.