Deeper Faith in 2022

Mark 2:1-12

Capernaum was the home base for Jesus. He had travelled through Galilee teaching and performing miracles.

They gathered in Peter’s home or a place close to hear Jesus teach the word.

“The word” (logos) refers in this instance to the gospel Jesus had been proclaiming throughout Galilee.

Have ever been in the presence of someone important? People will travel from all over.

The people who gathered assumed they would hear Jesus teach and potentially perform miracles.

They were not prepared for this interruption.

Houses in Jesus’ day:

1 room

Stairs on outside that led to roof.

Wooden beams, tiles, dirt, and grass.

4 men carried in their paralyzed friend.

Destroyed roof and lowered friend to His feet.

These men believed deeply that their actions would result in something amazing for their friend.

They were right. Jesus saw the faith of the men, forgave the sins of the man, and heled him so he could walk.

Miracles happen on a daily basis. Have you eve been offended by one?

Deep faith is offensive. Jesus responded to their faith and His actions offended in several ways.

1. Scribes

Fact-finders. Men of theological acumen.

They saw Jesus’ actions and assumed he would committed blasphemy.

These men weren’t just here out of couriousity. They hoped to build a cased against Him.

If Jesus were not divine, He was guilty of blasphemy.

2. 4 friends and the paralytic

We don’t know exactly what these men expected to happen. Did they want to see him forgiven, healed, or both?

Their actions show they weren’t satisfied inviting their friend to join the crowd. They wanted their friend to meet Jesus. Getting to the building was not enough.

3. Spiritual Understandings

Jesus knew the hearts of hte scribes. For Jesus to declared the forgiveness of sins could not be verified for the eyes of the people.

Healing the man displayed His authority as the divine son of God.

Prophets had healed, but only God could forgive sin.

Jesus is divine.

4. Common Sense

The healing verified Jesus’ ability to grant forgiveness.

He did this miracle which they could see that they might know that he had done the other one they could not see.

The man responded immediately. The cure was instantaneous.

The man got up and walked out of the house. At his word, lame legs became healthy.

Common sense says that his is not possible.

Jesus saw deep faith and He acted. He saved the man.

I have seen faith in action many times.

Did you notice that Jesus was never offended by the men in this story?

2022 is a year for faith to rise.