The Miracles and the Ministry of the Messiah in the Book of Mark
Week 2: ‘Get Me to Jesus’
Crossroads Community Church
Rev. Ricky A. Rohrig Sr., Founding
March 15, 2015
So over the course of the last two days, I have been in Omaha taking training classes to be Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Chaplain. One thing about acts of God or natural disasters is that they may be expected or unexpected, but no matter how well you are prepared or think you are prepared, you never are really ready when disaster strikes.
Let’s compare that to when the unknown circumstances strike, situations that you are unprepared for and now have to deal with, what do you do? In the midst of the chaos, the craziness, and the confusion of life, what you need is hope. That is what we all need when our normal becomes un-normal, when are controllable becomes uncontrollable, when our certainties become uncertain, and when our comfort ability becomes uncomfortable. There comes that aha moment in almost everyone’s life, when we realize we can’t do it on our own, we are not in control, and there has to be a better way. Well, there is good news for you today because no matter where you’ve been, where you are, or where you are headed to, there is a better way, there is hope, and His name is Jesus Christ. That’s what I want to minister and teach about today. You need to do whatever you can, while you can, with whatever you can, wherever you may go, whoever you are with, and whatever you may doing, you need hope, you need to ‘Get to Jesus!’
So what is your definition of hope? Who or what do you think of when you think of the word or meaning hope? You may tend to agree with me that the world we live in is not what it used to be… Turn on the evening news or read the newspaper and most of the stories are either negative or bad news. Negativity breads negativity. Ever been around a negative person? Before too long if you are not careful they will infect you and others with their negativity.
We live in a world that many among us or those we know either now or once have felt hopeless, helpless, lost, unwanted, unloved, not good enough and/or worthless. Let me ask you a question have you felt one of the following:
o Hopeless
o Helpless
o Lost
o Unwanted
o Unloved
o Not good enough
o Worthless
o Bounded by or to something?
These are the exact lies that Satan tries to instill in your mind to believe and penetrate your heart with so you feel there is no hope.
Jesus says in,
John 10:10a
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
The reference of the story of Jesus being the good shepherd is alluding to one is transferred to false teachers, who do not care to instruct men, but abuse their confidence for their own gain. A false prophet, one who knows the word, but uses it for their own gain. We know that if a person is not for God then he is against God. It should be very clear under whose authority this type of person is under
The enemy uses people to get his agenda across. Steal – to steal your joy, your hope, you from your blessings. Kill – the wages of sin is death Romans 3:23. Satan wants you to die in your sins and wants you to live in eternal hell and damnation. Destroy – the enemy wants to either keep you from having a relationship with Christ if you do not have one or destroy it if you do have one. So if you know who the enemy is, what he wants to do, and why he wants to do it, you should be better prepared to fight off his attacks. The devil may think he is in control, but we really know who is in ultimate control, God!
Before we dive into today’s scripture lesson, let me bring you up to speed. Last week I ministered about John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus and how we should prepare our hearts for Him too. So from last week where we ended up, to where we are going to begin, here is what happened in the middle:
Mark 1:16-18 (Jesus calls Peter and Andrew)
Mark 1:19-20 (Jesus calls James and John)
Mark 1:21-22 (Jesus Makes Capernaum His headquarters)
Mark 1:23-28 (Jesus casts out an unclean spirit)
Mark 1:29-31 (Peter’s mother-in-law is healed)
Mark 1:32-34 (Demons are cast out; many are healed)
Mark 1:35-37 (The importance of prayer)
Mark 1:38-39 (Jesus’ first tour of Galilee)
Mark 1:40-45 (Jesus Heals a Leper)
We see from Marks’ accounts; Jesus was a busy guy…
If you have your Bible turn to Mark 2:1-12, is where I am going to minister from today, from this thought, ‘Get Me to Jesus!’
I want to read it in it’s entirety first and then go back to decipher, dissect, and discuss it.
Mark 2:1-12
1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 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.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 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.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8 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?
9 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?
10 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,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12 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.
This man that was sick, for most people it would have been a long shot at best, not only to try to get to Jesus, but then trying to be healed by him. In sports we would call him the underdog. Anyone like rooting for the underdog? Anyone hear ever felt like you were the underdog? Anyone hear been told you are not good enough?
Ever been told you are too…
• Old
• Young
• Tall
• Smart
• Dumb
• Skinny
• Fat
• Rich
• Poor
• Nice
• Mean
• You’re a dreamer
• You’ll never amount to anything?
• You might as well give up now?
Again, these are all things that WE ALL have been told at some time or another and are all things that the enemy wants us to believe!
This particular passage of scripture is immediately after Jesus heals a leper and tells him to tell no one what happened. Jesus was not about “being in the spotlight.” By this time word had gotten out about Jesus and many were coming to Jesus to be healed… Healed physically, mentally or from moral weakness or from flaws. What do you need healing from? A bad attitude, broken relationship(s), addictions, physical healing, mental healing, and/or spiritual healing? Whatever you need healing, reconciliation, or restoration in God is able to do it, TODAY!
Mark 2:1
1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
• Jesus has returned to Capernaum, known as ‘His own city’, a key place for Jesus’ ministry, and where He had been dwelling or living at that time.
• At Peter’s house
2 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.
• There were so many people there, that they were running out of room to see the miracle man.
• They were not only there to witness the miracles of Jesus , but to hear hi preach the word to them
o Today it is the word of God that will change you, I am simply the messenger, but you need to let the message speak to you and through you today and always.
Mark 2:3
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
• Tells about one particular man that could not physically be brought to Jesus so he had to have others bring him to Jesus.
• The man had a condition and that condition was palsy.
o He was paralyzed
Imagine for a moment if this was you paralyzed, or not able to move and you heard about a man named Jesus that the power, ability, and authority to heal.
You would do whatever it takes to get to Jesus wouldn’t you?
o Some of you here may be or know someone that is paralyzed today… not physically but maybe emotionally, financially, or spiritually.
o You are in a position or situation where you feel stuck you cannot get out of it, you’re in a rut. You need a breakthrough. You can dream or maybe even visualize about getting through but your paralyzed.
o That’s what sin does to us it makes us paralyzed in our situation(s) and it’s what the devil wants.
o You feel helpless, hopeless, lost, afraid, scared, nervous, anxious, uncertain.
What you need is Jesus and you should do whatever it takes to get to Him, today! He can fix the unfixable, mend the un-mendable, bring reconciliation to any and all areas of your life, and put all the broken pieces back together and make you whole again.
It is only Jesus that give you an insurmountable, unexplainable, unconventional, and unconditional peace that surpasses even the most complex faithfully spirit filled, and/or intelligent person known to mankind. This is a benefit reserved to those part of God’s family.
Mark 2:4
4 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.
• The man and his friends would stop at nothing to get to Jesus. The easy way would to be to go through the front door, but that was not an option. There were so many people there or as the KJV states in a parallel passage in Luke states, multitudes of people there, how would a person with a physical ability completely relying on other men get him to Jesus.
• Sometimes in our own lives there are times we need to get to Jesus but there are things in the way. The biggest thing that keeps us from Jesus is sin. This man and his friends had to go to plan ‘B’.
• They went up on the roof. Imagine now with me if you will this paralytic man who has to trust and rely on his friends to get him to Jesus. First imagine if you were the man. His friends would not only have to make sure they held on tight but balance going up stairs to the roof of the house.
• Now imagine if you were one of them men carrying this crippled man knowing that he has put his trust in you to get Him to the Miraculous man and healer Jesus Christ.
• In those days there were trap doors on roofs, but this one was not big enough so they had to break open the roof according to Mark.
• Now on top of not dropping the man, balancing him up the stairs, they now had to tear the roof off and then lower him down.
o Some people may have viewed these men who were carrying the man seen barriers, obstacles, no hope or even misery like…
He’s too heavy
My feet hurt
It’s too far
There’s too many people
I can’t carry him up to the roof
I don’t want to tear a roof off
I don’t have the strength or patience to lower him down
o I don’t know about you today but that’s the kind of friends I want, ones that will do anything and everything to get me to the Lord of Lord’s and King of King’s.
These men were saw opportunities instead of obstacles,
Breakthrough instead of barriers
A healer instead of seeing no hope
And A miracle instead of misery
Mark 2:5
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
• This is a prophetic fulfillment from: Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
• Notice three things Jesus did here;
1. Saw their faith – note it says their faith, not just the man sick of the palsy. These men were very faithful as well. Scripture says in James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
2. Spoke to the man with palsy – remember in the midst of Jesus preaching the word, he stops and turned His attention to the one’s that needed Him at that very moment
Someone right now needs to know that we serve an on time God, He may not show up when you want Him to, but His timing is impeccable, and He is always precisely on time
3. Forgave him of his sins. Notice he did not physically heal the person at that time, but forgave him of his sins. Jesus knew all about his sins without the man telling Him. Notice it is sins plural
Just like us Jesus knows all about you, but He wants you to come to Him, anyway, anywhere, anytime, anyplace.
Mark 2:6-7
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
• As having a vast knowledge of the law they knew that only God could do something this marvelous.
• This is where they began to criticize Jesus and questioning His authority
• They asked a question, who is this which speaketh blasphemies?
Mark 2:8
8 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?
• Jesus, being incarnate, God in the flesh knew what they were thinking
• Rather them give them a simple answer he asked them as question that He already knew the answer to., what do you think?
Mark 2:9
9 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?
• Jesus now is talking to the scribes and Pharisees
• Not only does he ask them a question but He gives them choices for the answer
o Free will is something God has given all of us since the beginning of mankind
What you do with your choice(s) is up to you
• There will be consequences good or bad, for every decision you make
o Others may have professed healing powers, not like Jesus’ though
• Which is easier Jesus is asking the “so called experts” to forgive sins or to be healed
Mark 2:10
10 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,)
• Jesus already proved He was the Son of God by forgiving the man of his sins, if the scribes and Pharisees wanted to believe it or not.
• Jesus was telling the sick man that you know that I have the power to forgive your sins because I am Jesus
• First Jesus forgives him from his sins and now he is healing the man
o You may have come to church for one thing but God is telling you through His Holy Spirit that the first thing you need to do is repent and ask forgiveness of your sins and then God can heal you.
o Repentance comes before restoration.
Mark 2:11
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
• Jesus is very specific he tells the man to get up, take your bed, and go into your home.
Mark 2:12
12 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.
• The man does four things
1. Listens to Jesus – immediately rises up before all of the witness’
2. Obeys Jesus - took up the very thing that he was bound to. Notice the very object that was carrying him, he is now carrying
3. Went where Jesus told Him to go – to his own house
4. The most important part – the crowd witnesses a miracle and were amazed
Because of that they glorified God
• When God does something to you, for you, or through you, you ought to give God the praise!
• All had witnessed a miracle
• All glorified God
• All feared God
• All seen God through His Son do the unexpected and unanticipated
Why did you come today? I don’t know how many times I have heard people say let me get myself together and then I will come to church, go back to church, or do more in church. If that were the case the church would be empty. What you need is a blessing today? You want to be blessed?
Jeremiah 17:7
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Will you trust God for your salvation today? Will you put your trust in God today if you haven’t completely 100%? Will you commit to be more like Christ and the cause of Christ?
Paul tells the church at Corinth in:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
As we come to your moment of decision:
I’ve asked what God would have me to do today… to teach and preach the unadulterated word of God today. No one in this building can say they did not hear God’s word today. Now you have a choice to make… What will you do with God’s word today? Will you ignore it? Will you hear it but not act on it? Will you let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you with it? Will you let the word of God transform you? Will you commit to a deeper level of spiritual intimacy? Will you start today and follow Jesus like you have never done before?
John 10:10
If you remember at the beginning of the this message I started with this scripture:
John 10:10a
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
Well the first half does not sound to good does it? The good thing that that is only the first half, the rest of that scripture states:
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Life is short and someone you know needs you to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Whatever you need God has it for you today, don’t wait until tomorrow and I ask you, won’t you come today… God’s waiting for you be obedient to Him today, and to point others towards Him. Make this day 1 of the rest of your life, as we continue to worship God today.
