Question of the day: If you could do anything you wanted today, that would bring you joy, what would that be?
Good morning class. I look forward to studying with you this morning.
READ: Mark 2:1-12
Jesus Forgives and Heals
2 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 sins”—he 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!”
This is one of my favorite stories.
1. We see hear that there were so many people there to see Jesus that the place was packed. What does this tell us about Jesus? Why were so many coming to him? What did they need?
Is this need still prevalent today?
2. What can we learn here from the mans friends?
3. Who's faith is referenced?
4. What is the first "miracle" Jesus performs here?
Ryan in a sermon sometime ago referenced the idea that Jesus didn't just want physical healing for the man he also wanted a healing that went much deeper. How deep are you willing to go with Jesus? Will you let him in to every part of your life?
5. Jesus shows three remarkable things here. 1. He forgives sins. 2. He can read our minds and hearts. (we see this in more than one part of this story.) 3.He can heal us physically.
6. What does Jesus say to the paralytic when he heals him?
Jesus doesn't just heal us, he expects us to then move. When he changes our hearts, when he heals our hearts, our legs, our minds, then we must move, we must go forward, we must DO something.
7. What was the reaction of those watching?
8. Is there anything in re reading it this morning that you had not noticed before?
I watched this clip from the Chosen and something struck me at the very end. At the end you see the man standing up and walking out. We had the privilege of spending last weekend with our children and our grandson. Nolan is just LOVING to walk. He just walks and walks and walks. It is almost a waddle more than a walk. He is unsteady and unsure of himself, but with every step he becomes more bold. Sometimes he falls down, and most of the time you can tell his number one focus is just walking. He often is looking down concentrating on the act of walking instead of actually paying attention to what is around him. It was such a joy to watch.
This man healed had never walked before. He had been paralyzed since birth.He took his first steps, and those steps were also part of the miracle. I wonder did he ever fall, like Nolan? Did he stumble when he looked up or went too fast?
When we are healed and Jesus tells us to walk, that doesn't mean we have it all together, or that we won't stumble and fall. This morning Chris and I went for an early morning walk. It was wonderful. The air was crisp, the birds were singing, and we were together. I couldn't help but reflect on this lesson and think about Jesus giving the man the ability to walk and what that meant for his life.
Jesus has given us the ability to walk, what are we doing with it? Jesus has forgiven you, what are you doing because of that.
If you haven't see the chosen, here is the clip of this story.
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