Mark 2:1-12, The Benefits of Suffering

Joel and Mary Nadel

From: The Holy Bible and J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”

House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text

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Mark 2:1–12 NASB95

When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

Introduction: Review of Chapter 1, Jesus Starts His Ministry, the benefits of suffering

John the Baptist - Focus on the prophets

Jesus - Repent and believe the Gospel

Preaching and miracles, casting out demons, healing the toughest diseases, drawing the crowds, unbelief

This text - Jesus is continuing to establish to the people of Israel His identity and how He has come to save them.

We catch a real glimpse into human nature, as we observe the reactions to His preaching and healing.

#1 The lesson of Capernaum

God offers blessings, but they are not accepted

Capernaum is a useful example

This is where Jesus dwelt after He left His home in Nazareth

He preached extensively here, and He performed many miracles

Nothing that Jesus did had much of an impact

They came in crowds to hear Him

They were amazed, astonished, filled with wonder at His mighty works

They were not converted - they did not repent

They lived in the brightness of the Son of God, yet their hearts were like stone

Jesus greatest condemnation: And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 11:23–24). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Lesson from Capernaum: We believe that powerful preaching is what it takes to get people to turn to Christ - if the Gospel is preached, everyone will be saved.

We forget the amazing power of sin and unbelief. Like the leprosy we discussed last week, it infects our flesh, our blood, our bones.

People of Capernaum heard perfect preaching and saw wonderful miracles, but remained dead in their trespasses and sins

Savor of life to some, savor of death to others

Opens or hardens hearts

Pray: “From hardness of heart, Lord, deliver us.”

#2 The Unlikely Blessing of Suffering

A paralysed man is brought to the Lord, by four kind friends

The man was helpless

man and friends believed Jesus could help - not easy to get him there

Jesus stopped His preaching and healed him immediately

Forgave his sins

healed his affliction

Left his house a sick, helpless sinner, returned home rejoicing

Gratitude for his paralysis

Might have lived/died in ignorance

Might have never seen Christ at all

Might have spent his life an ignorant shepherd, doomed to eternity in hell dead in his sins

Never have had his sins forgiven

The paralysis was the beginning of eternal life

How many have experienced blessing from affliction or grief?

Grief begats wisdom, loss is gain

Sickness and affliction lead to the Bible, to Jesus

Ps 119:71 “It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.”

Be careful about complaining about affliction

Reason for every cross and trial

Every sickness and sorrow a message from God, brings us nearer

Lesson: All our experiences are for God’s purposes

#3 Forgiving Sin - Jesus, Our Great High Priest

Jesus said: Son, your sins are forgiven.

Those words were for the man, and for the Scribes (legalists)

He claimed power of the true High Priest

“The Son of Man has power to forgive sins”

Awesome authority, in the eyes of those there and for us. Only God can forgive sins.

Can’t be done by men, angels, church councils, ministers cannot take away guilt and give peace with God

They can point the way to Jesus though, tell people how to be forgiven

Only God and His Son, can do this.

Lesson: What a blessing, that we know the great high priest, and where we can go for forgiveness

He has even already offered the sacrifice for our sins

God’s holiness makes it essential for us to have our sins forgiven

Without Jesus to forgive, we can have no peace.

Mighty to forgive and pardon, tender hearted and willing to save

Bringing It Home

Have we turned to Jesus as our great high priest?

Have we sought forgiveness from HIm for our sins? If not, we are still in our sins.

Never rest until the Holy Spirit witnesses with your spirit that we have turned to Jesus and heard the words “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

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