"Rooftop" Series

“Rooftop”

Text: Mark 2:1-12

Chapter 2:1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Get up, take your mat 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 tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Subject: what role does Faith play in following Jesus? (How does Jesus establish his divine authority?... comp: by forgiving sins and healing the sick. exe idea; Jesus has the authority to forgive sins and heal the sick.

Hom idea: miracles happen when Jesus authority meets our faith.

Complement: faith forces us to put our beliefs into behaviour.

Gospel idea (Truth): “faith is a verb ---faith is the substance…”

Introduction:

Is the Jesus story …“true”??? is Jesus really who the bible says he is?

It’s a question of today’s generation (skeptics)

It was also a question of Jesus generation (religious critics--Jews)

The bible confronts and addresses this question… “is it true?”

Many people dismiss Christianity as merely a “tradition” or a religion… and by religion they mean it fits people who happen to be “religious”… some people join the army…some people liking to play golf…some people like the security of religion. But this doesn’t adequately explain Christianity and it certainly doesn’t explain Jesus.

When people see Christianity as a religion to join it produces “nominal Christians --- people who call themselves Christians but don’t behave as if its true.

In the gospel of Mark, Mark presents a vivid picture of Jesus – based on the experiences of his close friend Peter, one of Jesus 12 disciples and one of the 3 closest to him – his inner circle. Mark wants to tell us and persuade us that Jesus is for real. He wants us to place our faith and trust in Jesus.

And so now we come to the gospel of Mark, chapter 2.

Read text: Mark 2:1-12

Situation: Jesus comes “home”. (Capernaum – Nazareth nearby)

There is a large “crowd” --- “onlookers”…. Jesus is preaching -- teaching to a large crowd in Capernaum.

• Jesus comes “home”…People heard of it…Crowd gathers

• The entire town is buzzing with anticipation.

• So we have a full house…Jesus preaches the good news of God love to them…”word of God”

• That morning around 7 AM….4 friends are meeting for coffee and to catch up on the local comings and goings at Tim Hortons (Capernaum store) --- …just like today … back then there was a local coffee shop on every street corner… (people are people – they like coffee and they like to talk)

• …while having a coffee and a bagel… it must be their day off?? … how did the Leafs do last night? They won… too bad….

• The Conversation moves along to more pressing matters… did you hear about Jesus? He’s coming home!

• Coming home? Really? Do you mean home to Nazareth or home to Capernaum?

• I mean here Capernaum!

• Jesus is coming to town…

• I heard it from Peter’s mother in law herself.

• Narrator: these are men that perhaps know Peter or James and John… they have heard stories of his preaching and they have heard of some miracles… for sure they have heard of the wedding miracle---Cana of galilee is a nearby village – Jesus performed his first miracle there. Maybe one or more of them were at the wedding – and tasted that exceptional wine…

o “I wonder if Jesus will be performing miracles today too?”

o And where is your faith? “no need to wonder boys… of course he will!!!