A Paralytic Forgiven (Mark 2:1-12) - Harvest Kuala Lumpur

Resource by Peter Park

5yrs old…family moved without me. RAIN. Strangers. Who knows where I’d be if not for them. We all need these kinds of people in our lives. People who will step in and do for us what we can’t on our own. Today, a story about a group of friends…

Mk. 2 1 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.

This was early in Jesus’ ministry, but word had gotten out that he was teaching with an authority that no one had heard before and that he was performing miracles like casting out unclean spirits and healing people. Now Jesus is at home, maybe resting, and people have swarmed in. (If there was someone today who could heal any sickness or disease, people would go crazy. Bukit Jalil Stadium, the National Stadium, that holds almost 90k people would have 2mil+ people packed in there.) ≠

And what was Jesus talking about that so many would be gathered to hear him? He was talking about himself – Mk. 1 14…Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (IE, believe in me.)

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.

(This is awesome. These guys could have yelled for Jesus to come out. They could’ve asked people to make way for the paralytic. Or they could have just yelled, “fire”! But the friends were like, well, the roof is easily accessible, and you’re already paralyzed so if we accidentally drop you…what’s the worst that could happen. Right? So they decide to tear open the roof.)

As we go through the rest of the story, I want us to look at the characters in this story…

The Crowd – Now, we don’t get too much detail about the crowd, but the crowds following Jesus are never portrayed in a positive light in the gospel of Mark. They’re always in close proximity to Jesus but they’re just fans who want to see Jesus do something cool – who wouldn’t want to see him cast out a demon – and maybe they’ll even get a healing or a meal or a blessing for themselves. But the idea of giving up their life and dreams, dying to themselves, and living for Jesus just doesn’t sound that appealing. They want to be close enough to Jesus to be entertained but not for their life to be changed.

And I want to ask you, does that sound like you? Maybe you like coming to church, you like the music, the sermons you’re just ok with, but you deal with it because you like being around Christians – they seem like nice people. You are close to all the activity but you don’t have any kind of personal relationship or commitment to Jesus. And you’re more concerned with what Jesus can do for your life than how you can live for him. You’re actually far from God. And if that’s you, let me be clear – I’m not judging you, and neither is anyone else here. We couldn’t be more happy that you’re here. But we are inviting you to go all in with Jesus. It’s so much better than being on the fringes.

Not all “followers” of Jesus are disciples. Being around Jesus and being around church and Christians doesn’t make you a follower of Jesus. (Let’s keep going…)

5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” So Jesus is teaching about the gospel, calling people to repent of their sins and to believe in him and here comes the perfect live demo of the gospel message. It wasn’t an interruption at all. This was why Jesus came.

The Paralytic – We don’t know why his body is broken. It could have been any number of things – It could have been a direct consequence of a sin. He could have been born that way as a result of the general curse of sin in the world. Or he simply could have had an accident. But what we do know is that he’s known by his condition, as the paralytic. (Rough. To be known and called by your suffering.)

But when Jesus sees the paralytic’s faith, he calls him, “Son” – We only know the man as the paralytic, he’s anonymous to us, but Jesus knows him intimately. Jesus is the one who created him. He knows everything about him. He loves him and so he says to him, “Son, …

Your sins are forgiven” – I’m not sure this group of friends, including the paralytic on the mat, came for the forgiveness of sins, but for his legs to be healed so he can walk again. (Friends – That’s nice, Jesus, but we’re kind of tired carrying him. Friend – I’m tired of depending on these guys for everything.) His condition clearly shows his need.

But Jesus was addressing the paralytic’s greater need, his spiritual problem that was far more important than his physical one. Jesus reveals that our deepest need is the forgiveness of our sins. Scripture: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We’ve all rejected God and are dead in our sin. And the suffering and brokenness that is all around us are the effects of sin. For the paralytic, Jesus didn’t just treat the symptom, he dealt with the root cause. So if the forgiveness of his sins was all the paralytic left with that day, and he never walked again, he would’ve gotten everything that he needed from Jesus.

This is important for us to understand today. If Jesus doesn’t heal you right now, get you out of the situation you’re in, fix what is broken, provide what you need, Jesus and the eternal life he’s given is more than enough for you to follow him and love him, to bless him in both suffering and in rejoicing. Like I’ve said before, God is equally glorified when people are healed and also when his people suffer and die well.

And God’s promise is if you get the spiritual healing now, you’ll get the physical healing too one day. God’s healing and redemption are holistic. He’s going to fix everything and make all things right one day. So will you trust in God today based on what he’s already given you and his promises for the future?

This position the paralytic was in where he was needy for Jesus, desperate for a work of God, is not just for our salvation, but our constant posture because we never outgrow our complete dependency on him. We never get to the point of maturing past Jesus. But in life…

Sometimes you’re the one on the mat needing Jesus. And you need people in your life who will have the faith, when you are weak, to carry you to Jesus. And not just your spouse if you’re married. Community.

(Derrick DeLain and Micah’s Adoption – Don’t even worry about it. God’s got this. Sure enough, 2 days later God does the impossible.)

The Friends – Did you catch that Jesus saw not only the faith of the paralytic, but the faith of his friends as well. He saw “their faith” that carried their friend on a mat to the home, tear open the roof, and lower him in. Notice, they didn’t even have to ask Jesus for anything. God responds to this kind of faith like it’s an automatic reflex.

They could’ve turned back and come back when there wasn’t such a crowd. But they had a faith that was ready to do whatever it takes right then and there. See, friends who love pray but they also grow feet to their prayers. They put their faith into action knowing that they themselves are often how God answers prayer.

Think about this, the paralytic would never have been able to get to Jesus on his own without his friends. And so it is in the Christian life that so much of our walk with Jesus is dependent on how well connected we are in the family of God. There is a communal aspect to our faith. Communal faith doesn’t save you. Only individual faith does that. But communal faith certainly plays a role in people being brought to Jesus and in our growth as Christians.

Mark – PhDs, MD PhDs, Post-Docs, and then there was me. I was the last resort.

Sometimes you’re the one on the mat needing Jesus. Other times, you’re the friend taking others to Jesus. There are times you need to give people space, but there are definitely others where it may need to be against their will. – I don’t care what you say or how much you resist, I’m coming over or we’re going to do this together. You have to have a relentless faith on their behalf. When I’m not thinking rightly or I’m overwhelmed or too confused to know better, those are the kinds of friends I want in my life. (Raudel)

Do you have these kinds of friends? If not, you need them. Find/Make. And maybe a better question to the church is, are you this kind of friend? Everyone wants these friends in their lives but are you one? If not, you need to become one, to both believers and nonbelievers.

Because if you’ve truly experienced the forgiveness and life and joy and peace that is found only in Jesus, like the paralytic, there shouldn’t be any greater desire than to see others experience Jesus for themselves too. So in awe of what God has done for us. I was … and now because of Jesus … It should be exploding out of you. We are going to be a church that is willing to do whatever it takes to reach all the peoples in KL and the world.

My hope for you is that the aroma of Christ would be so appealing that people where you are sent to live and work and play are drawn to you. And you would engage them with a next step…

Invite to church. Promise: If they come, they will hear the gospel preached. They will hear about who Jesus is and what he’s done to save them. Invite them to study the bible with you. You Invite them into your life and into your home. – This story didn’t happen in a church or church gathering.

And don’t worry. There’s no pressure on us to do the miracle. Our role is not to fix people. It’s to bring them to Jesus. But it’s hard work. It takes a lot of time and effort to be faithful. To be consistent in prayer, constantly in touch, checking in, and looking for opportunities to serve and share the gospel. (Which by the way, serving those in physical need…Word and deed.)

But we have to be honest with ourselves if we have the margin in our lives to live this way. Or are we too busy? Some of us are so busy seeking first our own kingdom and our own lives that there’s no time to seek the kingdom of God and invest in the eternal. Listen, there are only two things what will last forever, that’s God/Word and people. Hint.

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?”

The Religious Leaders – Some people say that Jesus wasn’t God or never claimed to be God, that he was just a teacher or prophet. Here’s the problem: This story! And lots of other places in the gospels where Jesus is clearly making the assertion that he’s God. And the religious leaders understood this, which is why they are questioning him here.

They were the “experts” when it came to God. They were well studied, scholars of the scriptures…Can we be honest? Sometimes, “religious” people are the worst. They’re judgmental, hypocritical, proud, and some of the most self-absorbed people. But their theology here is actually correct. They are right in saying that God alone can forgive sins. But the irony is that throughout the gospel, the vast majority of the religious leaders who are supposed to know the word of God miss the Word of God in the flesh, Jesus, who is right in front of them. They’re no better than the crowds. They’re so close to Jesus, but they’re so far. They don’t know that he’s Lord.

Maybe that resonates with you. You can relate. You feel like you’re a pretty religious person. You have your checkbox of all the things you feel like you need to do to be a good person like reading your bible and coming to church. You may know a lot about God. You even give away some of your money to good causes. But you do all these things to make yourself feel better or to earn God’s approval/blessing. But religion and good works can’t save you. Only a true and genuine relationship with Jesus will. You don’t need to bring anything to the table, not your good works. All you need is simply your need for Jesus and his forgiveness.

Not everyone who is religious is a true follower of Jesus. There are lots of people who know lots about the Bible and about Jesus, but really know nothing about him personally.

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? (The fact that Jesus read their minds should have been a clue that Jesus was not an ordinary man.)

9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?

Well on the surface, it’s easier to say someone’s sins are forgiven because you can’t really disprove it. But if you tell someone to get up and walk, and they can’t, then you know it’s a scam.

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.”

Jesus uses his power to do the visible miracle to validate his authority to do the invisible miracle. (Kids – I love you more than mommy does. It’s a fact. But it’s an invisible statement that they can’t really prove one way or the other. But I try to give them all the visible evidence every chance I get. When mommy says no. I’m there to remind them how little she loves them. And I give them visible proof of my love with hugs, kisses, candy, extra dessert nights, and even money. The visible should prove the invisible and yet, they reject my love and are certain mommy loves them more. The only conclusion I can come up with is, they’re brainwashed.) The visible proves the invisible.

And then the paralytic faces another test of faith and obedience. What would you have done, here? You’ve been paralyzed, maybe for all your life, and this guy tells you to get up and pick up the mat you’ve grown so intimate with. It’s been your life. It’s been a part of you, your identity. But Jesus speaks with such authority. So…

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!”

He believed and acted on his faith. He carried home his mat, a reminder of his life before he met Jesus, and a new heart. So, which was the greater miracle? That a paralyzed man walked? Or that a spiritually dead man was raised to eternal life. I would say, the latter. This is a great story. And there’s things to learn from the paralytic and friends. But the main point of this story is not about them. Even the miracle is primarily about who Jesus is and what he’s come to do. Last…

Jesus is God. Not a god. Not one of many gods. He is the one and only true God. V. 10 Jesus – “Son of Man” – His favorite designation for himself in the book of Mark. Reference to Dan. 7:13. Human yet divine figure to whom the everlasting kingdom of God is given and will be worshiped by all peoples, nations, and languages. And Jesus is saying, that’s me. I’m that God-Man. (What ways is he God? …)

A. Omniscient. He knows all things. In verse 8, we saw that Jesus has the ability to perceive what’s in the heart. How does he know what they were thinking? Because he’s God. Jesus knows everything, every hidden thought and action done in the dark. There’s nothing that’s a secret to him. On one hand, that’s terrifying. For our sin to be exposed and laid bare like that. Yet on the other, it’s comforting knowing that Jesus knows everything that is messed up about us and he still loves us.

B. Omnipotent. He is able to do all things. Jesus performed all kinds of miracles in his earthly ministry like opening the eyes of the blind, casting out demons, healing physical infirmities, walking on water, and raising the dead to life. And yet the greatest show of his power, his divinity, was when he himself rose from the dead, rising victorious over sin and the grave. So it is within his unlimited power to forgive sins and for him to also give us victory over sin and death.

C. Jesus came to save sinners and restore all that is broken. In the Greek, what you have when Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven” is a divine passive. And this construction is used when God is the obvious agent. In other words, Jesus is saying, “I, God, forgive your sins.” And he has the right to say this because it is against him that all our sins are committed. If he weren’t God, he would have no right. (Ex – A hits B. C – forgiven) And his mission as God in the flesh, was to make a way for us to be forgiven, to be saved and to be brought back into his presence.

D. Jesus always gives us what we truly need. It may not always be what we want and we may not always like it. But isn’t that the most loving thing God can do for us? (Ellis with Percy stuck in her hair was adamant that I save Percy. That’s all she could think about. But I know better…it’s save Percy or save her hair. Background: Ellis’ hair is precious to her…Tangled. It’s what we use to threaten her. Not proud of it, don’t recommend it, just making a confession.) That’s how Jesus is with us.

Would it really have been loving of Jesus to have healed the paralytic only physically? I’m sure the paralytic would have been so excited. But one day, his body would break down again and eventually die. Jesus loves him too much to let him walk away thinking his physical healing was all he needed. He wanted to give him a new identity – A forgiven son who has eternal life and will get a new resurrection, glorified body that is imperishable.

Jesus always has what’s best for us because he knows what we really need. The question is whether we trust him. And here’s why we can…

The religious leaders thought Jesus was committing blasphemy by claiming to be God and they would crucify him later for it. But that’s exactly the crime we committed. Our sin, at its core, said, I don’t want God to be God over me; I want to be god. And we deserved to die for that sin and blasphemy against God.

And here’s the thing – God couldn’t just say that your sins are forgiven because there has to be justice/punishment for our sin. On what basis/justice would sins be forgiven? If all you had to say was a few words, then Jesus didn’t have to come. Jesus – Your sins are forgiven, because I will die for you in your place. He loved us so much that he came, becoming one of us, and lived the life we should and lived and died the death we deserved. And when we put our faith in him, he promises us a new life with him free from the curse of sin and all its effects in the eternal heavenly city.

What are you looking for? What are you hoping God or Jesus can do for you? Cause you may have a real need, for provision, for healing, for a miracle. It’s why you came today but God is using it to bring you to himself for the greater need that you have – the forgiveness of your sins. You have a sin problem and there’s nothing you can do to fix it. You need Jesus just like the paralytic.

You’re on the mat but that means you’re in a prime position to encounter the power and salvation of God. You don’t have to fix yourself and get your life together before coming to him. No. Jesus says come to me and I’ll make you whole. I’ll heal you. I’ll forgive you. I’ll restore you. And he will show you that He’s better than any blessing. And He’s the one you’re looking for.

You have a choice, you can put your faith in Jesus and receive what he has done for you like the paralytic or you can remain in your sin and death and keep him at a distance like the crowds and the religious leaders. Receive the free gift that Jesus has paid the price for.

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