Faith Heals

SCRIPTURE READING: MARK 2:1-12

SERMON STRUCTURE: ANALYTICAL

SUBJECT: Miracle: The Miracle of the healing of the Paralytic Man as set forth in Mark chapter 2.

THEME: The Analysis of Healing of the Paralytic Man as set forth in Mark 2:1-12

"Faith Heals"

INTRODUCTION:

Among the miracles of Jesus, one of the better known is the healing of a paralytic... it is found in all three synoptic gospels - Mt 9:1-8; Mk 2:1-12; Lk 5:17-26. And according to the scripture, these story is well known to the little children, and since I’m a child, I known this story. In which a man was let down through a roof by his friends to be healed by Jesus. Do you have friends? Does your friends shown help in your life. Will they sacrifice theirs for your sake?

The occasion produced a range of emotions... why? Because this story produce to result two kinds of emotions of the people. These were; Jesus charged with blasphemy by some people on that day and God was glorified with amazement by others. See, two people were touch by the ministry of Jesus to the Paralytic Man.

Transitional Sentence: The healing of the paralytic contains several valuable lessons for us today. Turning to Mark’s account of the miracle (Mk 2:1-12), let’s first read and examine...

I. THE ACCOUNT OF THE HELPFUL FRIEND OF THE PARALYTIC MAN AS SET FORTH IN MARK CHAPTER 2:1-2, SHOWS US THAT CHRIST WORKS BY GRACE.

Mark 2:3 ‘Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.”

a. The place: the miracle occurs in Capernaum - Mk 2:1-2, people gathered in such a huge numbers, they followed Jesus as is Jesus is preaching the Word of God. this place is described as “His own city” - Mt 4:13. Located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. This place also served as the base for His public ministry in Galilee, almost most of his time of ministry was done in Galilee. At this moment, Jesus was preaching in a house, which was overflowed with listeners that others couldn’t barely hear his voice and sees him.

b. The paralytic: he was totally immobile, confined to a stretcher, and unable to enter His friends carry him to Jesus in Mk 2:3-4. This people who carried him to Jesus is his faithful friends. As they go near to Jesus, people surround the house and they could not fit in to enter inside. So, they manage to take a great effort as they climb at the roof of the house. With great effort, they let down his body with a stretcher from a whole of the roof to Jesus.

c. The pardon: as Jesus seen the effort of the paralytic man, Jesus forgives his sins - Mk 2:5 “ Jesus observes the faith of the paralytic and his friends. He knows that they believe in his miracle power over sickness. They long for healing for their bedridden friend. And Jesus sees their faith to him, that’s why Jesus replied to the Paralytic man “Son, your sins are forgiven you. Matthew adds, “...be of good cheer...” - Mt 9:2

Did you observe this? It seems strange Jesus forgave him first rather than healed him, but Jesus’ purpose will be revealed as we proceed

II. THE ACCOUNT OF THE HOSTILE FOES OF THE PARALYTIC MAN AS SET FORTH IN MARK 2:6-7, SHOWS THAT CHRIST WORKS, AS HE SEES THE FAITH OF THE MEN.

MARK 6:7 “why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who ca forgive sins but God alone?”

The disrespect of the scribes: blasphemy! They said in Mk 2:6-7.

In Luke, as the parallel passage for this narrative story, he mentions both scribes and Pharisees - Lk 5:21. They reasoned in their hearts, but not speaking. Silently accusing Jesus of blasphemy, for only God can forgive sin. They didn’t realize Jesus as the Son of God. they doesn’t have the faith like the people surrounding them.

The defense of the Savior: first of all He has power to forgive sin - Mk 2:8-10 Jesus knew their hearts, their reasoning, they are against to what he is doing over the paralytic man. That’s why Jesus tell them “Which is easier to say (and do): to forgive or to heal?” and Jesus told them, “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Both require divine authority and power, the healing and the Forgiving Power, and Jesus has power to do both!/

Here is Jesus’ purpose in forgiving before healing is revealed: to make known His divine power to forgive sins.

III. THE ACCOUNT OF THE HAPPY ENDING OF THE PARALYTIC MAN AS SET FORTH IN MARK CHAPTER 2:11-12a, SHOWS GLORIFICATION TO GOD.

Mark 11-12a “I tell you get up, take your mat and walk? He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all…”