One - Week 3

Introduction

The One series

Week 1 - Ephesians 4

Week 2 - Isaiah 6

The Hear Method (collapsed)

Most weeks I attempt to teach the text - to explain what it means and to apply it. This week we will work through this together.

Mark 2:1–12 CSB

1 When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them. 3 They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: 7 “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Right away Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic—11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.” 12 Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Highlight

Capernaum - not far from where Jesus grew up

Homes were small - it wouldn’t take a large number of people to pack out a residence

The roof damage may have been more severe than just removing a tile or two; the four friends risked incurring the wrath of the home owner by their actions!

Explain

Why was it written?

The Gospel of Mark A. What Sort of Book?

It is a book about Jesus, a historical figure of the recent past, whom the writer wishes to introduce and commend to his readers, and he achieves this aim by telling the story of (part of) his life and his death together with a selection of his teaching.

How does it fit with the verses before and after?

Commentary on the New Testament: Verse-by-Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation Jesus’ Exercise of Authority to Forgive Sins (Mark 2:1–12)

This story of Jesus’ exercising authority to forgive sins starts a string of similar stories. In 2:13–17 he’ll exercise his authority to eat with tax collectors and sinners; in 2:18–22 to disallow fasting; in 2:23–28 to let his disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath; and in 3:1–6 to heal on the Sabbath.

Jesus was willing to have conflict in His ministry; truth was more important than agreement

What does the passage say?

There was very little that Jesus could do to convince the scholars (scribes) of his true nature.

“A man convinced against his will Is of the same opinion still” - attributed to Dale Carnegie

The best that Jesus could do was to perform the “harder task” - miraculous healing

Almost two miracles here - the healing, and no PT!

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible 1. The healing and forgiveness of a paralytic 2:1–12 (cf. Matt. 9:1–8; Luke 5:17–26)

“Jesus apparently chose this title for Himself because its use would not immediately associate Him in the thinking of the people with the undesirable connotations which had developed around the common term Messiah. Thus, His use of the term half concealed and half revealed His self-identification as the personal Messiah. While the term was recognized to have Messianic connections, the title Son of man would not force the people to make a premature decision concerning His identity in terms of their usual Messianic expectations. It would enable him to connect His Messianic self-presentation with views more in harmony with His own Person and teaching.”

One additional text

Commentary on the New Testament: Verse-by-Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation Introduction (Romans 1:1–17)

And I don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, [of the fact] that I’ve often planned to come to you (and heretofore have been curbed [from doing so]) in order that I may have some fruit also among you, just as also among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 To both Greeks and barbarians, to both wise people and mindless people, I’m a debtor—15 thus my eagerness to proclaim the gospel also to you, the ones in Rome.

We don’t have the opportunity to share the gospel with everyone, but we must be willing to share the gospel with those we do meet.

Apply the text

Am I willing to be inconvenienced in order to rescue others?

Applies to evangelism, service

Respond in prayer