“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!!!
o The thinker in the group speaks up…
♣ “I love to hear him teach” …his teaching is completely different than what we typically hear… it has a ring of truth to it that just seems to capture your imagination. You know how our regular preachers put us to sleep every Sabbath….not Jesus. The teachers of the law talk about the law… Jesus. Jesus is the law. I’m telling you right now--- he’s the messiah. The one we’ve been waiting for. The teachers and the priests better pay attention. The Romans ought to pay attention.
♣ No hypocrisy. Jesus is for real. I’m sure a few of the experts are starting to feel a little nervous…no one likes to be upstaged!
“ btw, the reason I was late is I dropped in to see “LEVI”… I hadn’t dropped by for about a week and the guy is so lonely and bored. Ever since the accident he hasn’t been able to walk and he is so depressed. So I thought a short visit might cheer him up…
Pause…
“Boys, I just had an idea…”
What if we bring “Levi” to Jesus?
How?
“We’d have to carry him.”
“Do you know how far that is?”
I mean it’s not far…but carrying a paralytic…its far.
“Good idea… not practical.”
Pause….
“I’M IN”
“Me too…”
OK… that makes 3 of us… we need you brother….
Ok, I’m in…
Awesome….Lets do it!
Now wait a minute… I heard plenty of people are planning to make the trip to Capernaum --- we won’t be the only people there…
You’re right.
“Bring a shovel”
Excuse me?
Just in case we have to improvise…
Narrator: **These are the kind of people that raise the roof with faith!!!
(Complication)…Meanwhile…down the street at Starbucks another conversation was happening…
Order a Frappuccino (grande) … order a latte (tall)… order a chai tea…(Venti)
Price tag; that will be $47.00 shekels sir.
… they muse and fidget…wishing they were at Tim Hortons..
finally they settle into the leather chairs…
“Did you hear?”
Jesus is coming home… that’s the rumour.
“I heard the same thing…”
I also heard he’s going to be teaching at “Jacob’s house right here in Capernaum.
We should show up…
I can’t go, I’m working on a sermon for Sabbath… tell me if you like this title: “27 ways for Gentiles to convert to Judaism and observe the Sabbath.”
Sounds like a home run to me…
Back to Jesus… I hear He’s quite a good teacher…
I say He teaches heresy and stirs up the people… he’s trouble I tell you!!
“he’s a heretic if you ask me.”
And a “blasphemer!”
I say “demon possessed”!!! mark my words.
…We must watch him… this could get out of control.
***“Let’s head over there and get front row seats.”
Next scene: teachers arrive early and make their way inside… glaring at Jesus…mumbling to themselves… “why does this fellow talk like that?”
By the time the 4 friends arrive with their paralyzed cargo…the house is full and the crowd has spilled out into the street.
The 4 friends are a little surprised… “hey guys, we have a problem…” standing room only!!
{I guess carrying a man on a stretcher slows you down!!}
Well ….let’s wait it out. The crowd will thin out and hopefully we can see Jesus before he leaves for the night.
NO! …
We’ve come too far to play it safe….
Pass me the shovel… I’m going up to the roof.
Are you crazy?
Maybe a little….“I could use some help”
Dig… dig…
“We are in so much trouble”…
…By now the dirt is falling on everyone…its falling on the teachers in the front row…. And It’s falling on Jesus. Well….that’s one way to get his attention.
They begin to lower the mat…
“Jesus… our friend is paralyzed from a terrible accident…his life has been – paralyzed- ever since…please heal him!!”
Silence.
Jesus pauses.
Looks up at the hole in the roof… he sees the 4 men.
He smiles…
He notices the deep bonds of friendship. He is impressed. He notices their reckless, adventurous spirit… he notices how intense they look… he notices how tired they look …he notices the dust and the sweat… but what he really notices… is their FAITH!!!
Jesus is always impressed by great faith.
Looking down toward the man on the floor he says….
“SON…YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN!”
No one expected that – not even these 4 men of great faith. They were just hoping that the man could somehow walk again.
Your sins are forgiven????
Everyone in the room was thinking the same thought…. Only God can forgive sins!!!
So…. either (1) Jesus is God or (2) Jesus is a fraud and a blasphemer.
Of course, the teachers/theologians look on with shock and disbelief!
Jesus turns directly to them:
“The son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
More shock!
The teachers got the message… they knew what “son of man” meant. They knew it’s a title found in the bokk of Daniel that refers to the coming messiah.
What right does Jesus of Nazareth have to this title? He’s not the messiah – is he?
Then, Jesus turns to the paralytic: “Get up! Take your mat. Go home!”
The crowd gasps… then right in front of them all the man gets up and goes home.
The crowd begins to praise God… “we have never seen anything like this!!!”
… we get it…Jesus is God. Because if he was a fraud –the man wouldn’t be healed. So that means Jesus is the “son of man” = messianic title from OT.
The Jews having been waiting for the messiah (God’s son, for hundreds of years! Now he is finally here!!!)
Everyone burst into praise…”we have never seen ANYTHING like this!!!
Hallelujah!
Application: miracles are exciting… but there is something more important and most lasting… forgiveness of sins.
Jesus has the authority to forgive your sins --- and only Jesus!
Today… Jesus is here. Not just in Capernaum 2000 years ago.
(1)He’s here today to forgive you!
(2) to show you he’s God
(3) your question is will you come to Jesus? …***Do you have faith to make the effort to come to Jesus?
He’s waiting.
He will welcome you!
Jesus is always moved when he sees our faith in action.
James says, “faith without works is dead faith”
Hebrews says, “without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Faith isn’t easy…it will require risk and perseverance. It isn’t for the indifferent and casual follower. Faith requires perseverance.
**Will you place your faith in Jesus?
Prayer: Jesus, I believe in you… I choose to place my faith in you!
Faith….
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." —Martin Luther King Jr.
"Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. There was no one there."—Martin Luther King Jr.
Faith, Hope, and Healing
When prayer is not answered, and the healing for which many have sought does not come, remember that besides faith there is hope. Hope has to do with God's promises that are still future and hidden, just as faith has to do with God's promises that are here and now. Hope says, "Tomorrow also is God's. Enough has happened already to assure you that the rest is on the way." —Thomas Smail.
