Forgiven - Mark 2:1-12

Mark 2:1-12 Forgiven 2019-08-18 Glory to God; Jesus forgives sin! “It’s not about the nail.” Some friends showed us this online video years ago. A husband and wife are sitting on the couch together, and the wife is lamenting her terrible headache. She goes on for a few moments before turning to her husband, and as she turns her head you realize that she has a nail sticking out of her forehead. The husband is listening with concern and compassion, and when he has opportunity to speak he offers that, just perhaps, her headaches are related to the nail. But she refuses. “It’s not about the nail!” She only wants him to listen and stop trying to fix it. The headaches, all of the snagged sweaters; she only needs him to listen. Scripture Passage: Mark 2:1-12 Sometimes we miss the obvious, don’t we? We can get so caught up in all sorts of distractions and ideas that what should be so clear to us is muddled, fuzzy, and confused. In our passage this morning Jesus hits the nail on the head. Jesus deals with the greatest needs; he fixes the most dire of problems. And what is that, you ask? Sin! Sin is mankind’s greatest problem. Not a bad economy, poor education, not cancer, not corrupt leaders. Sin is mankind’s greatest problem. But Glory to God; Jesus forgives sin! Home Fellowship (vv.1-2) 1. v.1 “And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.” - As we ended last week at the end of chapter 1, we saw Jesus unable to spend much time in towns, but instead having to stay in desolate places because of his popularity. Apparently he had an opportunity to go back to town, so he goes back to Capernaum, which seems to be home base for him now. Whether this is Jesus’ own home, or Peter’s home, or someone else’s, we aren’t told. 2. v.2a “And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door.” - Not surprisingly, word of his presence spreads and the people gather. In fact, so many people gather that the home can hold no more. What does Jesus do when he has a house full of guests? 3. v.2b “And he was preaching the word to them.” - Jesus made it clear that this was his purpose, to preach the word (Mark 1:38). And so, when a crowd gathers in the house he is staying, he opens the Word of God to them and begins expounding it to them, proclaiming the gospel of God, the good news of the kingdom. This may not be what drew them to this house and to Jesus, but he knew this is what the people needed. Transition: So there’s the setting, a crowded house in Capernaum. Home Dismantling (vv.3-4) 1. v.3 “And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.” - Jesus has already demonstrated such healing power, such authority over sickness and disease, that they knew they needed to get this paralyzed man into the presence of Jesus. 2. v.4 “And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him…” - I think it’s helpful to look at the characters here. 1. We have the friends of this paralyzed man, going to great effort to bring him to Jesus. There doesn’t seem to be any personal advantage to them doing this, no gain they would realize through their efforts. But they serve this paralyzed man selflessly and sacrificially. Would you be one of these friends, so determined to get help for your friend in need, that you’ll even start dismantling a roof to do so? I know many of you are this way. And the great thing is that they got more than they bargained for - their friend was healed AND forgiven! 2. But there was also the crowd unwilling to move over, to step aside, to allow these men to have access to Jesus. Maybe they thought their need was most pressing and urgent. We’re not told. But I find it troubling that these four men, acting so selflessly on behalf of this paralyzed man, had to resort to hauling him up on the roof and breaking a hole in the house. Maybe some in the crowd were simply oblivious to the needs around them, not considering the needs of others. Perhaps some knew of the needs around them but disregarded them, thinking them unimportant, or just less important than their own needs. Transition: The four men are successful, and the paralytic is lowered down in front of Jesus. Home Disruption (v.5) 1. v.5 “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” - Jesus does this radical and unexpected thing. Throughout Mark the reader is challenged by the things Jesus does and the statements he makes. In each of them we’re faced with a decision - what will we do with the information we’ve just been given? As we’ve said since beginning our study in Mark’s gospel, this is a book of discipleship and evangelism. It calls to decision - will you believe and follow, or not? 1. Jesus does this radical and unexpected thing by declaring this man forgiven of sin. It is God who forgives iniquity and transgression and sin (Exodus 34:6-7). No mere man has this authority. This was sure to stir them up. 2. Jesus saw their faith. Their faith was demonstrated, made visible through their actions. James 2:18 “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” 3. Isn’t this the greatest need for all mankind? Isn’t this why we need to be bringing people to Jesus? Where else can forgiveness be found? And without forgiveness, what is the fate of the sinner? Home Healing (vv.6-11) 1. v.6 “Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts…” - The scribes were part of the religious elite of the day. Throughout the gospels we read the accounts of their opposition to Jesus and their attempts to catch Jesus in his words or find some fault with him, though they were never successful. So here they are, sitting in this home, part of the crowd unwilling to move out of the way or give up their seats for a paralytic. And they’re questioning in their hearts. They’re challenged by Jesus’ words and actions and are called to decision. 2. v.7 “He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” - They come to the conclusion that Jesus is a phony and a blasphemer. They’re right in their assessment that only God can forgive sins, but they’re wrong in their assessment of who Jesus is. 3. vv.8-9 “And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves…” - The scribes probably know they’re in trouble when Jesus reveals to them what they’re pondering in their hearts. 4. vv.10-11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” - To demonstrate that he did have the authority to forgive sins, he miraculously heals this man. 1. Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man. In fact, this is Jesus’ favorite way of referring to himself. Why is this significant? 1. Daniel 7:13–14 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” 2. Mark 8:31 “And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.” 3. Mark 9:31 “for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.’” 4. Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 2. He refers to himself as the Son of Man because this spoke about who he was and what he was about, but in a way that was veiled enough that it would require thought, consideration, and questions in order to be answered. Jesus knew a day would come when every knee would bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. But Jesus also knew that before the crown would come the cross. This was not contrary to his identity as the Son of Man, but an integral part of it. This was his purpose, his mission, to accomplish redemption through his death and open the way of salvation. Transition: What resulted, how did the people respond to Jesus’ acts? God Glorifying (v.12) 1. v.12a “And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all…” - The man, no longer paralyzed, obeys. He does just as Jesus instructs him to do. 2. v.12b “…so that they were all amazed and glorified God…” - The crowd gathered at the home are amazed. 1. When was the last time you uttered the words, “Praise God!” What was the occasion? It seems that for this crowd, what they glorified God for was the physical healing. Conclusion: What amazes you? Are you floored by the amazing forgiveness of God, that sinners like us can have the guilt and shame of sin removed from us? Have you considered recently the depth of your need, and the abundant and overflowing grace found in Christ? Let this be our meditation, our song of praise, our exaltation and rejoicing. Glory to God; Jesus forgives sin! y l i m Fa 23-25 Table Talk August 18, 2019 GOD’S TRUTH Glory to God; Jesus forgives sin! Family Discussion 1. Have you ever traveled somewhere to see something you heard was amazing? Maybe you saw it for yourself before and wanted to see it again? 2. We often are amazed by things out of the ordinary; things we don’t have the ability to produce ourselves; things that display power far above our own. Hopefully, if that wonder and awe is over truth, amazement over something real and truly awesome, we give glory to God for it. Do you do this? What amazement have you experienced that has caused you to give glory to God? 3. Are you amazed at the power and goodness of Jesus Christ to forgive sin? Do you believe that through your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior He has forgiven your sins? What is your heart’s response to this belief? 4. Read the Scriptures in the Table Reading. Consider the truth about our Lord Jesus! Consider His love, His goodness, His grace, His mercy. Believe and follow him. Praise and glorify Him! Key Verse “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ ” TABLE READING Lead your kids into God’s Word... 1. Colossians 1:9-14; Psalm 86:5-13 Scripture Memory: Mark 1:35 “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” - Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV)