Overview by Janice Hall
Lesson Text: Mark 2:1-12
Mark 2:1-12, records the first of five stories which establish Jesus’ claims to Authority! When Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers, that there was no room left. Jesus is accused of blasphemy, for presuming God’s authority to forgive sins. This is the same charge that would ultimately lead him to being handed over to the Romans for execution.( Mark 14:64)
These verses portray a lame man, whose friends believed that Jesus could heal him. They found a way to get their friend before Jesus by opening the roof and letting him down by ropes attached to his bed. When Jesus saw their faith, Jesus didn’t heal the man’s condition, but forgave his sins. Jesus immediately knew in his spirit what the scribes were thinking. When Jesus forgave the man, the teachers of the law did not like it.
The man’s joy in being forgiven was experienced through faith, not through his sight. The healing of his legs on the other hand was experienced through sight; he did not need faith to walk , he simply had to get up! The power of Jesus to heal and the authority to forgive sins were immediately justified. All were amazed and glorified God saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Related Scriptures by Deborah’ Hillman
Related Scriptures: Matthew 9: 2 -8; Luke 5: 18 – 26
Matthew 9: 2-8, speaks of a man stricken with palsy, that was brought on a sleeping mat to where Jesus was teaching and healing. There was no room in the house so four friends lowered him from the roof right in front of Jesus so he could be healed. This man believed and had strong faith that he would be healed. Jesus said ..”your sins are forgiven, stand up, pick up your mat and go home”. This was done because of the great faith, belief and trust he had in Jesus.
Luke 5: 18 – 26, emphasizes the story of the paralyzed man being brought to where Jesus was teaching and healing. Because his faith was so strong, he knew if he could just get to Jesus he would be healed. Once he was lowered from the opening of the roof, Jesus knew he was to demonstrate his authority. He forgave the man of his sins, and he was instantly healed. Meanwhile, the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law cried ‘ blasphemy’ looking for a reason to discredit Jesus.
Practical Points by Raufu Spagnoletta
2) Our faith should not be shaken by any obstacles…
When we discern obstacles as God’s invitation “to walk by faith and not by sight,” we are becoming wise in the ways of God. Learning to perceive obstacles as stepping stones and not stumbling blocks is how we grow in our knowledge and understanding of God. Obstacles open the door to miracles when we bring them to Jesus!
6) Critics have no answers for lives that have been changed by the LORD…
Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NKJV), “I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.” Scripture is the bedrock of our faith! “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”( 2 Corinthians 5:17). What God has done for us through His Son is eternal and no man can pluck us out of His hand!
