Worship Call 0665 The Evidence

Why is it that the believer has to defend his belief? Why is it not the unbeliever who has to make a defense for his unbelief. Maybe because unbelief is the default condition. it is those who believe and leave the pack. what is the evidence for your faith? Who do you believe, why do believe and how will effect you eternal future?

Jesus was never on the defensive and so should the followers of christ be. for we know whom we have believed.

this is another fine day in the Lord.

Mark 2:6–7 (NASB95) — 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?”

53.94 γραμματεύςa, έως m: a recognized expert in Jewish law (including both canonical and traditional laws and regulations)—‘one who is learned in the Law, expert in the Law’ or ‘… Law of Moses.’ πῶς λέγουσιν οἱ γραμματεῖς ὅτι ὁ Χριστὸς υἱὸς Δαυίδ ἐστιν; ‘how can the experts of the Law say that the Messiah will be the descendant of David?’ Mk 12:35.[1]

Scribes

Prior to the Second Temple period (pre-516 bc), scribes served as little more than secretaries—writing down the king’s decrees and keeping a record of the events that occurred during each reign (2 Kgs 22:10; 1 Chr 24:6; see also Ezra 4:8). Their access to the monarch also meant that they often served as the king’s confidants, messengers, treasurers, or even military commanders (2 Kgs 18:17–19:7; 25:19; 2 Chr 24:11; 26:11). Scribes were often employed at courts throughout the Persian Empire.

Beginning around the time of Ezra (ca. 458 bc; Ezra 7:6, 11), the position of scribe took on far greater importance. Scribes became students of the law and were primarily responsible for copying, writing, and teaching.

By the time of the New Testament, scribes wielded significant power throughout Israel and were routinely found among the ranks of the Sanhedrin. They served as the copyists of the law—a duty which also involved interpreting it. For this reason, some translations refer to them as teachers of the law. When the law did not speak to a specific case, the scribes created precedent. The basic duty of scribes in the New Testament period was to make sure that every Israelite was acquainted with the law’s rules and regulations. In this regard, scribes also served in a judicial capacity, passing sentence in Jewish court. Their knowledge of and skill in interpreting the law made them ideal candidates for the position of judge.[2]

These were the scribes, and other than with Nicodemus this is the first recorded account that Jesus confronts face to face the religious establishment.

Between the Scribes and the Pharisee’s, they were the religious police, making sure that the people were kept in line religiously.

30.10 διαλογίζομαιa; διαλογισμόςa, οῦ m; ἀναλογίζομαι: to think or reason with thoroughness and completeness—‘to think out carefully, to reason thoroughly, to consider carefully, to reason, reasoning.’[3]

Usually in forming an indictment against a perpetrator.

Mark 2:7 (NASB95) — 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?”

In the Old Testament forgiveness of sins was never attributed to the Messiah. The scribes regarded such talk by this fellow (contemptuous tone) as a pretentious affront to God’s power and authority, blasphemy against God, a serious offense punishable by death from stoning (Lev. 24:15–16). In fact such a charge became the basis for a formal condemnation later (cf. Mark 14:61–64).[4]

Mark 2:8 (NASB95) — 8 Immediately Jesus, aware in (by) His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?

Mark who emphasis the humanity of Christ also emphasizes the empowerment of the spirit which was upon the Lord in his incarnation. It is by His spirit that Jesus was aware of the thinking that was going on in their hearts.

It would be the same thinking that Jesus would use to arrive at the cross in order to effect victory over sin and death and even the forgiveness of sin.

Mark 2:9 (NASB95) — 9 “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?

Jesus was never on the defensive. The hearts of the scribes were on the attack. But Jesus as often as he does, puts the religious leaders themselves on the defensive by asking them the question. In a sense, putting them on trial.

Finally, during the trials of Jesus as he stood before the Sanhedrin, before these very men, they would be then asking the questions and Jesus would answer with the truth, which led to his death on the cross. But then his subsequent victory three days later by which meant life for those who believe and condemnation for the ones who rejects the truth, that this is the Son of man the Son of God who has the authority to forgive sins.

So, the Judges within their hearts makes an indictment against this man who professes to be God to goes as far as to tell this man that his sins are forgiven.

Jesus’ claim is very easily refuted without proof. How easy would it be to bring in the witnesses to indict this blasphemer? Case closed!

But what if there is proof of the forgiveness of sins? Some tangible evidence?

The Advocate, Jesus, now representing himself lays out exhibit A

1. The man is confined to his mat.

2. the man is confined there due to some sin.

Maybe there were those in the audience who had knowledge of this man’s background and recognize the probable cause for his infirmity is directly related to divine discipline.

3. If Jesus tells the man that his sins are forgiven and that the consequences for sin is removed, and the man walks… what then would be the indictment.

Mark 2:10–12 (NASB95) — 10 “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” 12 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.”

Witnessing for themselves, puts the Scribes on trial. It came them much more to consider. The ball was now in their court. It is not that Jesus had to prove anything more; it was that the scribes had to prove that this man did not have the authority. What evidence could they present to counter what Jesus just did?

If God had put this man down as a result of the penalty of sin, who had the authority to supersede God’s judgment if God hadn’t delegated his authority.

How could they arrest Jesus and bring him to trial for blasphemy when so many in that house saw what had happened? How could the scribes defend their own actions?

The wages of sin is death.

When one acknowledges that there is a God (God conscientiousness) it also sets up a problem.

“I am guilty before a righteous Judge and the wages of sin is death.”

My moral good has gotten me nowhere with the guilt that I am harboring in my heart.

The fact is I am sick with sin, and I am condemned by it.

But Jesus says, “your sins have been forgiven.”

So that you may know that the son of man has authority to forgive sins.

After His trials Jesus went through tremendous brutality.

The beating that he took from the whips could kill a man. And when Jesus did not cry out, the beatings only became more severe in the effort to add more pain.

He was almost beat to death by the guards before he even made it to the hill.

He was nailed to the Cross. There is no record of any one surviving crucifixion. One could imagine that there would be hell to pay if a Crucifixion was botched.

When Jesus died, a spear was ran up into his chest cavity and out came blood and serum. That which happens to a corpse as the blood and platelets separated.

The guards broke none of his bones which was done to hurry up the crucifixion for no longer could the criminals use their legs to push up so that they could suck in air and they would quickly suffocate. Jesus was already dead.

Two religious’ men from the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who had no reason to lie took the lifeless body down off the cross. These two had a close-up view of the battered lifeless corpse.

All of this was for you. And for me.

So that we will know that Jesus has the power to forgive sins. It is he who has the power over death. For three days later he emerges very much alive out of that tomb.

Jesus does not have to prove anything.

The ball is in your court.

How can you prove that Jesus is not the son of man who takes away the sin of death apart from you yourself dying and going to hell having then an ah ha moment?

What you believe and don’t believe will determine your future destiny.

Are you the man on the mat who will rise and walk, whose sins are forgiven?

Or are you the scribe who will be lost in his unbelief and condemnation?

[1]Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 544). United Bible Societies. [2]Loken, I. P. (2012, 2016). Scribes. In Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press. [3]Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 350). United Bible Societies. [4]Grassmick, J. D. (1985). Mark. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 112). Victor Books.

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