Christ Calls Us To A Compassion For Souls

From the series, "What Jesus Said and Did."

Christ Calls Us To Compassion For Souls

Mark 2:1-12 "And again he entered into Capernaum after [some] days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive [them], no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken [it] up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this [man] thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."

When Jesus went to Capernaum It seems the word got around fairly quickly that a great miracle working Rabbi had come to town. As one might expect, great sensation seeking crowds sought to see Jesus whereever He went. But the masses were not necessarily wanting to repent of their sins and abandon their deadly religiosity. This happening clearly shows they were not necessarily interested in hearing and receiving the truth. That truth that could set them free from the legalistic chains binding them. It is made clear here they are not ready to turn their backs upon centuries of false rabbinical interpretation, teaching and application of their law.

In this happening, we see the deep compassion of our Savior. We see His care for suffering humanity. We see His primary concern for those who are universally afflicted with the deadly diseases inflicted upon man by sin. But more than this, we are shown that His main mission then, as now, was to bring eternal salvation to all who would truly believe. A salvation that transcends time and space. A spiritual healing that gives to the recipient forgiveness and a spiritual freedom and fulfillment reaching far beyond the temporary fix that any healing of the mortal body might bring.

In doing this, He begins to focus more sharply upon the deep and eternal spiritual meaning behind the temporary physical miracles He is performing. As His ministry develops, He will increasingly continue this emphasis.. Surely His miracles were wonderful, but there was something so much greater for people to experience. They could repent of their sins. They could believe upon Him and His fulfillment of all the prophecies predicting the sacrifice He would make as the suffering Kinsman Redeemer. They could believe upon Him as the promised Messiah King. Then they could enter into the eternal Kingdom of God!

It is not surprising to later see these sort of sensation seeking crowds melt away in droves. After the miracle of the fish and loaves, He tells them that His will not be an immediate earthly Kingdom. He makes it clear that they cannot expect an increasing and continuing sensational miracle working ministry. A ministry that will provide all their earthly needs. He challenges them to accept Him as the very Bread of Life. The multitudes depart and He is ultimately left with His little flock of committed and dedicated followers.

Things have not changed. The multitudes are still shallow in their seeking and blind to the importance of their own eternal spiritual needs. Yesterday, as I drove to my study, I heard an advertisement on the radio station about a big tent healing meeting. The things that were being promised were amazing. In the promotion, it was claimed there was documented medical evidence that he had been dead for three days and had then miraculously been raised from the dead. I am sure the word will get around and I will not be surprised if multitudes of sensation seekers go out to hear and be duped by this false prophet.