Friends, Faith And Forgiveness

Stealing a question

I told a man about a year ago, that I was going to steal a question from him! So today, I am making good on that promise of theft!

We’ll address that question eventually.

Did I mention that this message started out differently about 3 weeks ago?

The key passage is centered around Mark Chapter 2.

There are parallel passages found in Matthew and Luke, that we will touch on, but we’ll primarily be in Mark 2:1-12 stand with me as we honor God while reading His word.

The parallels are found in Matthew 9:1-8 and Luke 5:17-25

I’d like us to look at 3 amazing facts in this passage.

Friends

Faith

Forgiveness

By now y’all should know, I am fascinated with and the people who penned them. I use the word “penned” not “authored” because I believe God authored the entire bible.

I just want to share a few things about Mark.

Most scholars agree that Mark is John Mark.

He was a close associate of Peter.

He was with Paul and Barnabas on their 1st missionary journey, but Mark turned back during that journey

Because of that, Paul wouldn’t allow Mark to accompany them on the 2nd missionary trip.

This resulted in a fall-out between Paul and Barnabas, so Paul and Silas began traveling together, and

Mark and Barnabas began to travel together.

But later on, we see Paul had and change of heart, and that Mark even visited Paul while Paul was in prison.

Mark was not an apostle. I didn’t realize that until 4 or years ago, when I began to learn a little more about the disciples.

Most scholars also agree that the gospel of Mark is the most chronologically written of the 4 gospels

It is also the shortest of the 4.

Mark probably wrote it while in Rome.

It was probably the 1st Gospel written.

Audience were Gentile Romans

It is a gospel of action with rapid-fire movement, with vivid mental pictures.

Mark uses the word immediately over 40 times in his gospel. More than the other 3 combined.

He also records Jesus saying “son of Man and Son of God”

Fewest words of Jesus, but

Action packed and per page has the highest recording of miracles performed by Jesus.

I read something this past week that described it as a soldier’s diary in a battle zone!

All but 31 verses are found in the other gospels.

Conversely, a few weeks back we learned that 90% of John’s gospel, is found only in John’s gospel.

It is also believed that John Mark is the young man mentioned in Mark 14:51–52 “Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.”

Let’s do a quick verse by verse study of this passage:

Mark 2:1 “And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.”

When we go back to chapter 1, Jesus had become somewhat of a modern day rock star. It got so bad, He couldn’t even go into populated areas anymore.

Mark 1:45 “However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.” (they were pressing in on Jesus for healing)

After several days He went back to Capernaum.

and it was heard (the KJV records “it was noised”) that Jesus was in the house.

Church, is Jesus in the house today? Let’s make some NOISE!

This past week, I learned that this house was actually Peters house, and this was Jesus’ “headquarters” for the area.

Mark 2:2 “Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.”

Many believe Peter’s house had a court area, and that it was “standing room only” there as well.

Obviously, Jesus could have done many things while He was in that house, but what did He do?

He preached the word to them!

Mark 1:15 NLT Jesus announced “the time promised by God has come at last!” The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

I feel confident that very well could have been the same words He spoke to the people in that house.

Mark 2:3 “Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.”

Church, when YOU recognize someone’s need, do you act?

Mark 2:4 “And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.”