When He Saw Their Faith
Mark 2026 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 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.
And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 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.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 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?
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? 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,)
I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 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
Introduction
In our passage this morning, we see the first and only time that healing and forgiveness are mentioned together in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus’s focus was on the spiritual first and the physical second. As we study this story, we will see how Jesus reacted to the faith of these men.
Mark was likely the first Gospel written. Under the inspiration of God, he writes with an intent to point his readers toward the Cross and the Empty Tomb. Those who read are faced with a question: who is this Jesus?
As we grow in our walk with God this year, we want to be Following in the Life of Faith. That means that we must begin with the correct Person to put our faith in. Mark gives us the message of Jesus to all people.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Will you commit each day to believe God and His promises? Will you confess your sins and choose to grow in relationship to Him? If you have not yet, will you believe in Him for salvation? Let’s Follow in the Life of Faith this year and see God do what He says He will!
The forgiveness of God is something that is not earned by man but is freely given by God. God has forgiven the sin of mankind through the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s Son, on the cross. Jesus came for that purpose.
Here in Mark 2, a man comes to Jesus for healing. His reasoning is that Jesus has a reputation of removing disease. Jesus promised to also remove the sickness of sin and we will see that here.
What causes our need of forgiveness? Why do we need the change that Jesus offers? The answer for every person is sin. The story is told,
1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Forgiveness, Difficulty Of
A man named John Oglethorpe, in talking to John Wesley, once made the comment, “I never forgive.” Mr. Wesley wisely replied,
“Then, Sir, I hope that you never sin.”
Jesus was clear that we need to show forgiveness to others because we need forgiveness from God.
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Are you a sinner this morning? The answer is yes. What is the solution for your sin? Salvation is the answer. Let’s see what Jesus does in the life of this paralyzed man.
Declaration
Declaration
Jesus has the authority, as God, to forgive sins. Here, He forgives the sin of this man and then heals him to show Jesus' words are true. Today, we need to have faith in Jesus for the removal of sin and His victory in the spiritual needs of our lives.
1. The Forgiveness of Sin
1. The Forgiveness of Sin
And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 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. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 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. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
One of the central themes of the gospel is the Forgiveness of Sin. God loved mankind enough to take the punishment for each of our sins and place it on another. The good news is that we are now able to be reconciled to God because of this glorious exchange.
Verse 1 begins chapter 2 with a return to the city of Capernaum. This is where Jesus had been teaching and healing in chapter 1:21-34. Jesus was known to the people here because of His many miracles and the demons that He had cast out. Verse 1 tells us that He returned into a home for several days.
But, the people heard that He was there and came to Him. The house was filled and the street was filled. Imagine the amount of people trying to hear the teaching of Jesus in this town! We see here that His popularity continues to grow in Galilee.
Verse 2 gives us a different perspective on the preaching of Jesus. In chapter 1, John and Jesus “preached” the good news. This was a Greek word pointing out the the heralding of the coming of the kingdom. Here, Jesus “preached the word unto them.” The background of Jesus’s ministry in the passage is the speaking of the word in conversation with those that were gathered. This was a more interpersonal communication than the general preaching of Jesus in the previous chapter. Sometimes it takes a sermon and sometimes a conversation to see someone respond to the good news.
Jesus “spake” the parables of Matthew 13 using this method. Jesus was also preaching the good news. We should have the same flexibility in bringing people to the knowledge of Jesus.
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
Verse 4 brings us to the focus of the message this morning. A man is brought to Jesus who was paralyzed. There is a belief that this man was likely paralyzed from the neck down as we see him carried by these four men. There is nothing that he could do to get to Jesus! The man could not do anything on his own because of the palsy. He could not come to spiritual healing without the work of Christ.
What can be done? The people are inside the house listening to Jesus. There are people outside the house preventing the crowds from moving past along the street. These four men have worked hard to get here to see their friend be healed. Yet, now it seems that there is no way that they can get to Jesus.
Maybe, they think about climbing through the window. But they cannot get there. Perhaps they look for another entrance through the back of the house. Still, they cannot find any way into the home. What can be done?
Maybe, one speaks up that they could try the roof. It was common about this time that the roofs of the house would have a stairway allowing access throughout the year. This was important for the owners to use the roof for drying plants and sleeping during the warmer months. These men race up to the roof to see what can be done. Only here do we see this word regarding the removal of the roof, “they uncovered the roof where he was.” They took off the roof to get a man to Jesus!
Imagine the sounds and dust during what happens next. Suddenly, there is a creaking and some dust falls. Maybe Jesus stops and looks up at the roof. He knows what no one else does, there are men coming to Him in faith. The sounds get louder and a couple chinks of light are shining through. Finally, there is a hole big enough for a man to be lowered through. These four men could not wait until the evening or a different day to come to Jesus. They needed Him now.
Verse 5 tells us that Jesus saw the hearts of the man in their actions to bring this man for healing. Verse 5 is important, “When Jesus saw their faith”. The faith of these men causes Jesus to speak to this paralyzed man. We see here that a statement of fact is made by Jesus, “thy sins be forgiven thee.”
The men would have liked to hear that the man was healed. That is why they were coming to Jesus. But better than a physical healing is salvation for all eternity. There were men around Jesus that will shortly begin to oppose Him. Together with those assembled to hear the teaching of Jesus, the people now have proof that Jesus is God. Only God can forgive sin.
Thy tacklings are loosed; They could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: Then is the prey of a great spoil divided; The lame take the prey. And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: The people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
Forgiveness is the removal of the legal guilt of a crime. Jesus here states the fact that the penalty for sin is no longer required because it has been taken by Him in the eternal plan of redemption by God. Jesus speaks of forgiveness to a Pharisee about a woman who comes to anoint His feet with ointment. She is notorious for her sin. Yet, Jesus forgives her sin because of her faith in Him.
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Those assembled in the house in Capernaum have seen an amazing working of God. This still paralyzed man is now able to have fellowship with God. Wiersbe tells us,
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: What the Servant Offers You (Mark 2:1–3:12)
Forgiveness is the greatest miracle that Jesus ever performs. It meets the greatest need; it costs the greatest price; and it brings the greatest blessing and the most lasting results.
But the Forgiveness of Sin was not enough for these people. They could not believe that Jesus could do the spiritual until they saw the physical. It has been said that “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Jesus used the healing ministry to point out His power over sickness leading to the cross. Today, we need to look to Him for the spiritual power in our daily lives.
2. The Freedom of the Sick Man
2. The Freedom of the Sick Man
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 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? 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? 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,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 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.
Sometimes, we live by faith and not by sight. Jacob promised God that he would believe him and tithe if God kept His promise at Bethel. Gideon put out a golden fleece twice because he was not sure that God would truly help him in battle. There were men there that looked for the Freedom of the Sick Man to prove that Jesus could forgive sins.
We mentioned last week that Jesus fully God and fully man. When He rose early in the morning to pray, He would definitely have been tired from serving the previous day. But He chose time with God. His humanity would have been tired but He was still faithful. In verses 6-8, we see an example of the Deity of Jesus. God is all-knowing. He sees even into the hearts of those who do not place their faith in Him.
Verses 6-7 give us two questions that these doubters spoke in their hearts. The first: Why is He blaspheming? This may refer to the Shema of Deuteronomy 6. There was only One God and He alone could forgive sins. The claim of Jesus to be God is the reason that was given for condemning Him to death at the end of Mark.
The second: Who can forgive sins but only God? Jesus is about to prove that question to be true. Only God can forgive sin. The Old Testament tells us that God has this power.
To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, And will not remember thy sins.
Verse 8 is the indication of Deity in this passage. He knows these questions are in their hearts and He answers them with a display of His power. Verse 10 shows Jesus speaking to these men that the “Son of Man” has this authority given to Him by the Father. The Son of Man is the preferred title of Jesus for Himself. One aspect of this title is found in Daniel. The Son of Man heralds the coming kingdom.
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. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
There is a position that Jesus holds that He wants these men to recognize. He is able to forgive sins. This is not just a delegated authority like an Old Testament priest or a prophet. This is the authority of Jesus as God to remove sin. He has this authority because God the Father has sent the Son to the world to reconcile it to Him. It is especially clear in the case of God the Son because He will be the One who pays the debt Himself on the cross of Calvary.
The physical healing here was a sign that God had the power to do the spiritual healing. The spiritual healing had already taken place in verse 5. Verse 11 shows us His command to the paralyzed man. He is commanded to do the impossible, take up his bed roll and walk home. What a miracle! The glory went to God for the wonderful miracle in verse 12.
God can do the same for each one of us. He has won the victory over death at the cross of Calvary. He has taken away the sin of mankind.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
We have been given the victory if we will just reach out and take it. The forgiveness of our sins are the reason for our forgiveness of others. We see that in the Matthew 18 passage. But we can have the victory if we will allow His authority to work in our lives.
This man received spiritual and physical healing. He got more than he expected when He came to Jesus. The same is true today. For some of us, we can have faith in Jesus for the spiritual life of eternity but not for the physical change in our trials and concerns. This passage shows us the folly of doubting God. He has won the victory over sin and over death. The kingdom of God is not just a spiritual kingdom but is the final reclamation of this earth to the perfect plan of God.
Strengthen ye the weak hands, And confirm the feeble knees. 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. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 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. And the parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water: In the habitation of dragons, where each lay, Shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, And it shall be called The way of holiness; The unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, Nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, It shall not be found there; But the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with songs And everlasting joy upon their heads: They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Jesus has the authority, as God, to forgive sins. Here, He forgives the sin of this man and then heals him to show Jesus' words are true. Today, we need to have faith in Jesus for the removal of sin and His victory in the spiritual needs of our lives.
The healing of this paralytic man was a sign that Jesus’s word was true. His sin had been forgiven! God speaks the truth in our lives as well. So the Psalmist,
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;
As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Have your sins been forgiven? Have you accepted the free gift of salvation? Jesus offers it to you today if you will believe in Him for the removal of you sins.
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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The application for those of us who are saved is simple. God has the authority in every trial. God can do whatever His will is. He allowed this man to be paralyzed, a horrible condition. In fact, that is one of my greatest fears in life is being unable to speak.
But Jesus spoke salvation to the man for His faith. He then healed the man to show that He spoke the truth. We have the Bible in our hands that tells us of the many times that God has come through for His people. Why do we require another proof of this truth? Why do we doubt that what He says is true?
Today, we must have the faith that God is a promise keeping God! He will do what He has promised, in your life and mine. He is a God who is always faithful. Believe today!
