Mark 2:1-12

The Healing of the Paralytic

Mk 2:112 (ESV) And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. (2) And many were
gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. (3) And they came,
bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. (4) And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the
roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. (5) And when Jesus saw their
faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven. (6) Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
(7)
Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? (8) And immediately Jesus,
perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, Why do you question these things in your hearts? (9)
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Rise, take up your bed and walk? (10) But that you may
know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sinshe said to the paralytic (11) I say to you, rise, pick up your bed,
and go home. (12) And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and
glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this!

1.

Background
A.

Jesus had been preaching in the area around Capernaum and after some days returns home
1).

The last time He was there He created quite a stir teaching healing casting out demons

2).

He had been mobbed by the crowds now Hes home word gets out and the crowds return

Thought:
A.

Crowds are a recurring theme in Jesus Galilean ministry Mark mentions crowds 40 times

He mentions Jesus teaching crowds, having compassion on them

Healing them, miraculously feeding them, delivering them from demon possession
1).

B.

Sadly what is missing no mention of the crowds turning to Christ in repentance and faith

We especially see this sad state of affairs here Capernaum

1).

They had enjoyed so many spiritual benefits Jesus lived there taught there ministered there
a).

2).

3).

They were amazed at His teaching astonished by His authority over sickness and demons

The light of Gods glory blazed brighter in Capernaum than any other place
a).

Yet they remained blind and hard hearted

b).

Somehow what they heard and saw never caused them to turn to Christ from their sin

Jesus rebuked them harshly for this

Mat 11:23-24 (NIV) And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go
down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it
would have remained to this day. (24) But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the
day of judgment than for you."

THREE LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS TRUTH

A.

Crowds dont necessarily mean success

1).

Jesus was popular there were constant crowds but few conversions at this point

2).

We error when we equate the size of a church with success not always true
a).

B.

It is possible to put crowds into the seats but are they becoming disciples of Christ?

The amazing power of unbelief

1).

All they heard and saw yet still rejected Him as Lord and Savior Why?
a).

2).

John 3 says man rejects Christ because they love their sin

I see this and I am convinced two things are essential to see conversions
a).

Preaching the Word man is saved ONLY when they hear the Gospel and respond
Ro 10:14 (ESV) How then will they (the unbeliever) call on him in whom they have not
believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how
are they to hear without someone preaching?

b).

Persistent prayer man is saved ONLY if God illuminates the Gospel that is preached
1a).

2 Cor 4 Satan has blinded the unbeliever to the truth of the Gospel
They remain blind unless God opens their eyes to their sin and need of a Savior

3).

I believe if we join together as a church crying out for souls we will see souls saved
C. H. Spurgeon: Winners of souls must first be weepers for souls.

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The Healing of the Paralytic

a).

We are all responsible for this we are all called to be part of the Great Commission
1a).

While we cant all fit into the pulpit on Sunday to proclaim the message
All can be involved by praying throughout the week that God would powerfully
move through the message that is being proclaimed

4).
C.

For us to accomplish task set before us will take preaching and prayer dependence upon God

I see a great warning here you can be in the crowd but not be in Christ
1).

You can be caught up in the flow of whats happening singing the songs going to the events
Tasting of the goodness of what is happening around you
You can see others saved and not be saved yourself

2).

Make your calling and election sure make sure YOU have gone to Christ personally
a).

That you have turned from your sins to follow Him

b).

That you are trusting in Him alone for your salvation

Transition: So Jesus has returned and so have the crowds in vs. 3-4 it gets very interesting
A.

I.

Mark introduces us to a paralytic and his four friends interesting and funny

THE HELPFUL FRIENDS

Mk 2:34 (ESV) And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. (4) And when they could not get near him
because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which
the paralytic lay.

1.

These 4 men desperately want to get their friend to Jesus to be healed

A.

They try to push through the crowd to no avail theres just to many in-between Jesus and them
1).

I can imagine them setting the bed down a bit despondent - now what?
Suddenly one says I know! Through the roof! You crazy! Got any better ideas
a).

2.

Typical house in those days would have a flat roof

A.

They would use it like we use a deck to lounge get fresh air eat even hang laundry
1).

B.

There would be stairs on the outside of the house giving access

Roof would be constructed of timber sticks reeds and branches then overlaid with packed earth
1).

3.

So up the stairs they go onto the roof of the house

The whole thing would be about 2 feet thick

Put yourself in that room for a moment

A.

B.

C.

Youre listening to Jesus preach suddenly start to hear scratching and scraping above you
1).

Then cracking as the branches are being torn away

2).

Clumps of dirt start to fall on those below dust fills the air

Finally a small hole is torn through the roof you see sky then a face pears through
1).

The digging intensifies more cracking tearing more dirt and dust

2).

Great turmoil its loud confusing - people screaming at them to stop!

Finally the hole has gotten very large through the dust now there are four faces peering in
1).

Then something happens youd never expect a bed stretcher - appears in the hole
It has a paralyzed man lying on it and it starts to slowly descend until it is right before Jesus

Transition: What will Jesus do? Tell them off for doing something like that interrupting His ministering

JESUS RESPONSE
Mk 2:5 (ESV) And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven.

1.

He saw their faith

Mark 2:1-12

The Healing of the Paralytic

A.

To do what they did - they must have really believed Jesus could cure their friend
1).

Thought:
A.

2.

You dont rip through a roof if you arent convinced Jesus is able to heal
So rather than rebuke them I think Jesus was pleased

God loves faith because faith honors Him

1).

It believes He is who He said He was and could do what He said He could do

2).

And great faith still believes even against great obstacles like these men faced

Notice. At first it doesnt seem like Jesus gets it. Why theyve done all this
A.

He says to the paralyzed man. Son, your sins are forgiven.

I wonder if the man thought Ok. But thats not why Im here. We ripped a hole in the roof to get to
you because I want to walk. Im paralyzed. Got anything for that?

Thought:
A.

First: Jesus is teaching that the spiritual is more important than the temporal and physical
1).

B.

Mans primary problem is moral not physical its sin not suffering
a).

We have broken Gods law We are guilty alienated

b).

Unless we are forgiven of our sin by God we MUST be judged we will go to hell

Second: There is another lesson here that deals with priorities in our life idols in our heart
1).

3.

You have to see what is happening here there is a couple of lessons in this

A lesson that teaches us not to settle for too little things that cant bring lasting satisfaction

Getting that ONE desire right

A.

This man comes to Jesus and he is sick more than anything he wants to be healed!
Im sure he thinks: If I could only walk THEN Id be happy. Id be set for life. If only I could walk
everything would be alright
1).

B.

That is all he wanted from Jesus AND he would have gladly settled for ONLY that

But Jesus lovingly, mercifully wants to give Him more than just a physical healing
1).

He knows if hes only healed physically hell only experience a temporal satisfaction
a).

Euphoria found in the temporal and physical realm ALWAYS wears off
Therefore it wouldnt be that long before hed be discontent again

C.

Timothy Keller speaks about this dynamic in his book on Mark

Referring to an article written by Cynthia Heimel for the Village voice
1).

Working in Greenwich Village she knew many aspiring artists and actors
a).

They all had that ONE goal they thought would finally bring them contentment
If they could only make it as an actor or actress theyd have it made

2).

She watched many make it rather than being happier they became more miserable unstable
manic - angry

3).

So she wrote this interesting article about the temporal nature of happiness in the physical realm
I pity [celebrities]. No, I do. [Celebrities] were once perfectly pleasant human beings. But now
their wrath is awful. More than any of us, they wanted fame. They worked, they pushed, but the
morning after they became famous, they wanted to take an overdose . .. because that giant thing
they were striving for, that fame that was going to make everything okay, that was going to make
their lives bearable, that was going to provide them with personal fulfillment and happiness, had
happened and nothing had changed. They were still them. The disillusionment turned them
howling and insufferable.

Thought 1: Why do you think so many millionaires commit suicide?

A.

They work all their life sacrificing everything for that ONE thing that will make them happy = money
1).

B.

They base everything on that! Achieve that they will be content and satisfied!

But when they finally achieve their goal they realize nothing has really changed they are still them!
1).

They still live with that same emptiness they had before still unhappy So now what!

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The Healing of the Paralytic

a).

The disillusionment the shattered dream is crushing some end it all

Thought 2: Back to our story this man has ONE goal He thinks if this happens - everything will be great!
A.

Jesus says I love you too much to allow you to settle for ONLY that
1).

To ONLY meet that temporal need would have set this man up for devastating disillusionment
a).

B.

If he only gets this desire eventually the emptiness and discontent will come back

So Jesus gets to the root of His problem his alienation from God his creator
1).

Fix that and youre set up for a joy and contentment that will last for all of eternity

2).

A joy and contentment that is not dependent upon the temporal nature of the things of this world
a).

Joy and contentment that can withstand the ravages of disease and fiscal cliffs

Transition: But what about us? We do the same thing God must work on our desires too

4.

We can do the same exact thing this man was doing

A.

Rather than seeking our joy and contentment in God and our relationship with Him
1).

We can allow other things to become our deepest desire setting all our hope on them

2).

We can have that one thing - we think if I had that then I would really be happy
a).

If I had success in my career was in a relationship with him or her

If I owned a house a boat If I could change the way I look
If I could a certain amount of money in my bank account
THEN everything would be ok! THEN I would be happy

B.

We create idols that become supreme desires - thinking they will finally bring contentment

Thought:

The dilemma with that mindset youll never be content (You have to see this)

A.

Youve elevated that one thing so much - that you think youll never be happy without

B.

But once you do get it there is a good chance youll end up feeling more empty than ever before

C.

1).

Why? Youre expectations are unrealistic no person or thing can deliver the kind of satisfaction
you are expecting only God can

2).

Temporal things can only bring temporal fulfillment the euphoria will wear off then what!

So the idols we set up thinking they will make us happy actually make it impossible to be happy
1).

We fixate on them arent content until we have them finally get them
And discover we are still discontent unhappy - they let us down they dont deliver

Transition: So God graciously lovingly deals with our idols our desires

5.

I see Jesus doing two great things in this story (for this man and for us)
A.

He saves us from our sin that keeps us from God

He saves us from our idols that distract us from what will really satisfy = which is God

B.

Because He loves us He will dig deep into our hearts and search out our idols
1).

Those things weve set above Him in our desires

2).

And He lovingly redirects those desires until our deepest longing is for Him
He does that because He loves us He is rescuing us from chasing what cant satisfy

Point:
A.

He gently pries our heart off the temporal because He has something so much better for us
1).

He is like the parent that sees their child playing with something that will harm them
They lovingly take that away and replace it with something that is better
a).

B.

That kid may kick and scream at first but eventually they get it they are happier

So He deals with our idols those things we fixate on and think we need
Those things we place above Him and feel we could never be happy without
1).

Listen! You really want Him to do this in your heart

You really want that ONE driving passion in your life to be fixed on Him

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The Healing of the Paralytic

2).

Only He is exciting enough to satisfy you today tomorrow and for all of eternity
a).

3).

Thought:
A.

1a).

The joy and satisfaction He brings has never faded

2a).

The peace, rest, contentment just keeps increasing as I learn more about Him

Visit a junk yard a monument to all those idols people thought they needed to be happy!

But Christianity brings true contentment Why? It brings God into your life!
a).

After 30+ years - He still thrills my soul with His greatness breaks my heart with His love

b).

I am still learning new things about Him and will be for all of eternity!

c).

He is exciting enough great enough big enough to satisfy forever

I want Him to dig deep and reveal my idols Listen - so do you

Ive learned that idols are liars they never produce the satisfaction they promise
1).

B.

You know thats true right? Ive known Him since 1978 the thrill is still there

And all those things I thought I needed to be happy I dont even have any longer
a).

4).

All they manage to do is distract me from the one that can bring real joy intense satisfaction

My prayer is that God would root them out of my heart until He is truly my ONE GREAT DESIRE
1).

That He would help me pry my heart away from clutching onto that which can only disappoint
a).

When He does that! Every idol He frees us from - that is great mercy indeed!

Transition: So Jesus is teaching - this man cant get to Him they lower him through the roof
A.

This man only desires physically healing he is willing to settle for that
1).

B.

Jesus lovingly takes him deeper than these temporal desires heals him spiritually
a).

Now he can know a joy that will just become greater and greater throughout all eternity

b).

That joy that will still be there even when the euphoria of the physical healing fades

But this sets up a confrontation with the religious leaders who were sitting there

II. THE HOSTILE FOES

Mk 2:58 (ESV) And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven. (6) Now some of the
scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, (7) Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can
forgive sins but God alone? (8) And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves,
said to them, Why do you question these things in your hearts?

1.

Jesus says Your sins are forgiven the religious leaders are shocked
A.

They think He is guilty of blasphemy - showing contempt against God Why?

1).

Because He is claiming to do what Scripture told them only God could do

Mk 2:7 (ESV) He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?
a).

2.

Forgiveness of sin in the Scriptures was the exclusive right of God

Why is it that only God can forgive sin? (Ever thought this through?)
A.

Because only the one who is sinned against has the right to forgive a person for that sin

B.

Example: I go up to Mike and say something really offensive

1).
2).

Then Carri comes up to me and says I forgive you for what you said to Mike
What would Mike say to Carri? You cant forgive him He didnt offend you he offended me
a).

Point:
A.

Therefore only I have the right to forgive him = that is correct

So only God can ultimately forgive sin. Why? Because all sin is ultimately against Him
Even when we sin against our neighbor it is ultimately against God we have broken His law of love
1).

This is why David said after adultery with Bathsheba and murdering Uriah
Ps 51:4 (ESV) Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight

Question:

So what is Jesus saying here when He forgives this mans sin THIS IS HUGE!

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The Healing of the Paralytic

A.

He is saying I forgive you, and I can forgive youbecause your sins are really against me. I am God!
1).

By forgiving this mans sin Jesus elevates Himself above just being a good teacher
Just being a great prophet or miracle worker He is claiming to be God!
a).

And these religious leaders knew it and were furious about it

Transition: Lets carry on and see how Jesus handles this confrontation
Mk 2:812 (ESV) And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them,
Why do you question these things in your hearts? (9) Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to
say, Rise, take up your bed and walk? (10) But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive
sinshe said to the paralytic (11) I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home. (12) And he rose and immediately
picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, We never saw
anything like this!

1.

Jesus perceives what they are thinking again proving He is God

Ps 94:11 (ESV) the LORDknows the thoughts of man

2.

Jesus handles this opposition by posing a question

Mk 2:9 (ESV) Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Rise, take up your
bed and walk?
A.

Its easier to SAY (Key) Your sins are forgiven

1).

Thought:
A.

Thats not easier to accomplish that takes the cross but it is easier to say that WHY?
a).

Forgiveness of sins is invisible how can anybody prove it didnt happen

b).

But if you say pick up your bed and go home thats risky something has to happen

Jesus is going to use the visible miracle of healing to confirm the invisible miracle of forgiveness

He is going to show His authority over sin and its legal condemnation
By showing His authority over disease and its physical ramifications

B.

If this happens what could the religious leaders say?

1).

Jesus is putting His authority on the line in a very visible way

If He can pull this off it will prove He has the authority to forgive sins
AND if He has the authority to forgive sins it will prove He is God!

III. THE HEALING OF THE PARALYTIC

Mk 2:1012 (ESV) But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sinshe said to the
paralytic (11) I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home. (12) And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and
went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this!

1.

What a scene this must have been

A.

The man is probably leaping for joy his friends looking through the hole in the roof beaming
The crowd is buzzing the religious leaders are fuming

2.

Once again we are given insight to who this Jesus is. He is God Almighty!
Transition: Lets apply this to some who may be here right now

THE CALL
TO THE UNBELIEVER
1. The man started the day physically sick ended the day in perfect health
A.

But more importantly he stared the day guilty and alienated from God spiritually sick
And ended the day in perfect spiritual health forgiven! Right with God the greater miracle

2.

I dont know how you entered this day spiritually healthy or sick

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The Healing of the Paralytic

A.

I do know you can end this day well forgiven and right with God

B.

Do you feel that tug at your heart? That sensing that youre not right with your creator
1).

That is God drawing you wooing you whispering to your heart to respond to Him

2).

Take your sin and lay it at His feet trust in Him as your only hope of salvation

Go to Him Jesus have mercy on me. Save me. Forgive me

3).

You will be forgiven God the Father loves to forgive sin it honors His sons work on the cross
a).

You may have walked through those doors lost you dont need to leave the same way

b).

You may have walked in a child of wrath you can leave a child of God

c).

You may have walked in headed for hell please dont leave that way Jesus has opened
wide the gates of heaven but you can ONLY enter in through Him

TO THE BELIEVER
1. Has God dug deep this morning revealing idols in your heart

2.

A.

Maybe that one thing you think you need to be happy that one great desire

B.

I dont care what it is how legitimate it is it can never be enough to give you lasting joy
1).

It is not interesting enough to satisfy you long term the thrill will wear off eventually

2).

Only God is sufficient to satisfy you long term only God will never let you down

Let God deal with your idols place them under His authority
Be willing to say Lord you are enough for me. If you want me to have this thing then fine. If you dont Im
good with that too! I trust your love for me. I trust that you know what is best for me. I trust that in your
wisdom you know what I need
A.

You know the only way to have stable joy lasting peace and satisfaction
Is when God is number 1 in your life

B.

You NEED one thing = Him. Havent you learned - that really is enough
1).

3.

Then let Him decide all the rest trust His love for you in all the rest and rest in that love
a).

God I dont need what you dont want for me

b).

God help me at that point of desire to only want what you want for me THAT is rest!

Lets learn the example of these four friends

A.

They cared enough about this sick man to do whatever it took to get him to Jesus
1).

Invite your friends to church where the Gospel is being proclaimed

2).

And all of us lets get involved by praying for the message when it is proclaimed
a).

We must see souls saved! We will if we preach the word and call out to God!