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…”
a.) For the paralytic man, he was healed! - Mk 2:11-12a. Jesus tells him to arise, take up his bed, and go home and behold, the paralytic did! he was healed because of His friends faith, Jesus was impressed by their faith. Now this seemed to be a strange thing to say. It was a question of paralysis, not sin, wasn't it? Yes, but Jesus went beyond the symptoms to the cause. He would not heal the body and neglect the soul. He would not remedy a temporal condition, and leave an eternal condition untouched. So He said, “Your sins are forgiven.” It was a wonderful announcement. Now—on this earth—in this life—the man's sins were forgiven. He didn't have to wait till the Day of Judgment. He had the present assurance of forgiveness. So do all who put their faith in the Lord Jesus.as he got up immediately it was seen in the presence of all! Many have seen the miracle power of Jesus. He was healed and it’s true that in Jesus, he as the authority to forgive sins and heal sicknesses. Luke adds that he went “glorifying God” - Lk 5:25
b.) For the people, they were amazed! - Mk 2:12 “ This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, :we have never seen like this!” The crowd has never seen anything like this! Only by the Words of Jesus the man got up from his mat. In Matthew, the writer adds, their amazement was that God had given such power to men - Mt 9:8 and in Luke adds their amazement was joined with fear - Lk 5:26, they also glorified God!
A man healed, people were amazed, Jesus’ power made known, but most of all, God is glorified!
From helpful friends to hostile foes to a happy finale, the healing of the paralytic is a wonderful story. But it is more than just a story. There are lessons to be gleaned.
CONCLUSION:
Infirmities has no power over Jesus authority in us. Peoples' faith is the reason Jesus heals us. And only God is glorified over all. Faith has the greatest part in this story, without faith, no person will experience healing. Through faith our sins are forgiven, and forgiven sins results healing. Friends are great associate, ally, supporter, and company. Some of them were used by God to lift up when we are physically in need. Our bodies have limitations, sometimes these hinders our ministry to the Lord, but don’t be discourage because Jesus is out great healer over greatest sicknesses. Even in the most severe sicknesses known or unknown by humankind, Jesus Christ has the power to give healing. Miracles was seen in Jesus from the beginning of time until now.
