JESUS IN THE HOUSE
SCRIPTURE:
Mark 2:1 “And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2:2 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.”
I. Entering Capernaum
A. Capernaum
1. Located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.
2. The chief commercial and social center of this area during the ministry of Jesus.
3. Here, on the great highway between Syria and Palestine, the custom taxes were collected and a Roman garrison stationed.
(After this event, Jesus summoned Matthew as he was sitting at the receipt of custom. Matthew 9:9)
4. Matt 9:1 “And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.”
This passage shows, that was generally believed to be the birth-place of Christ, because his visits to it were frequent:
5. Here Jesus came after leaving Nazareth, and Peter’s home became his own.
B. Jesus had been in Capernaum
1. Near Capernaum Calling Disciples --- Mark 1:19-20
2. Teaching in the Synagogue --- Mark 1:21-22
3. Casting out demons --- Mark 1:23-27
4. His fame spread abroad --- Mark 1:28
II. In The House.
A. Jesus had been in this house before. (Again, this was probably Peter’s house.)
1. Entered into the house of Simon (Peter)--- Mark 1:29
2. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick --- Mark 1:30
3. Simon’s mother-in-law was healed --- Mark 1:31
4. All the city gathered at the door --- Mark 1:32-33
5. He healed them and did cast out devils --- Mark 1:34
B. Again he entered into Capernaum. Mark 2:1
1. After a period of evangelistic teaching and preaching, Jesus and Peter returned quietly to the home of Peter.
2. He entered the city, doubtless, privately; but his being there was soon known, and so great had his popularity become that multitudes pressed to hear him.
Albert Barnes
Mark 1:45 “But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.”
C. Jesus is in the house . . . again.
1. It was noised.
In that day they had no newspapers, steam-engines, telegraphs, nor telephones, the news only going on the back of a camel, a fleet horse, or a swift pedestrian; yet, to our inextricable puzzle, the tidings flew everywhere with astounding velocity, notifying the people, as here Luke says, not only in the cities, but all the villages, that Jesus has come back from His retirement Into Capernaum, His headquarters, and is again preaching to the multitudes, healing the sick and casting out demons. W.B. Godbey
2. Many were gathered together. Mark 2:2
3. He preached the Word. Mark 2:2
Here we have the Word preaching the word.
4. They come unto Him. Mark 2:3
5. Even through the roof.
Mark 2:4 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.”
This center room, or court, is commonly uncovered or open above. In wet weather, however, and in times of great heat of the sun, it is covered with an awning or canvas, stretched on cords and capable of being easily removed or rolled up. This is what Mark means when he says “they uncovered the roof.” They “rolled up” or removed this awning. From the court to the roof the ascent is by flights of stairs, either in the covered walk or gallery or in the porch. The roof is nearly flat. This roof was surrounded with a “balustrade,” or railing, breast-high, on the sides; but where a house was contiguous to another, and of the same height, the railing was lower, so as to walk from one roof to another. In cities where the houses were constructed in this manner, it was possible to walk through a considerable part of the city on
the roofs. A breastwork or railing was of course built in the same manner around the “open space” in the center, to prevent persons from falling INTO the court below. This railing, or breastwork, is what Luke (
Luke 5:19) says they let him down through. They removed it, probably, so that the couch could be conveniently let down with cords; and, standing on the roof “over” the Saviour, they let the man down directly before him. Albert Barnes
These importunate friends of the paralytic, pressing their way through the crowd, use a ladder to climb the house from the outside, reaching the solid stone roof, cemented together so that it looked like a single great limestone rock covering the house, as I have so often seen and walked over them; coming to this
movable door, take up the tiles, and let the man down, lying on his bed, lowering him to the very presence of Jesus, in the midst of His sermon. W.B. Godbey
6. He healed.
III. How Do You Know That Jesus Is In The House?
A. There will be salvation in the house for the name of Jesus means “God Saves.”
B. There will be healing in the house.
Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
1. Of the Soul.
2. Of the Heart.
Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
3. Of the Mind.
4. Of the Body.
C. There will be peace in the house (storm).
Mark 4:37 “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
Luke 24:36 “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
D. Great Things Will Happen When Jesus is In The House
It was “in the house” that Mary wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair.
It was “in the house” that Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever.
It was “in the house” that Jairus’ daughter was raised from the dead.
It was “in the house” that doubting Thomas became a believer.
It was “in the house” that Jesus healed two blind men.
It was “in the house” that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper.
It was “in the house” where Jesus preached the Word of God.
It was “in the house” of the Lord where I gave my heart to the Lord.
Great things happen when Jesus is “in the house.” Dr. Phillip Paschal
IV. Jesus Desires To Be In The House
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
A. Jesus does not always get into the house. There are some houses where the door is shut in His face.
1. The house that we call the church.
a. The difference between a building and a church is whether or not Jesus is in the house.
b. The difference between a gathering and a worship service is whether Jesus is in the house or not.
c. When Jesus is in the house.
When Jesus is “in the house” we can love better.
When Jesus is “in the house” we can forgive better.
When Jesus is “in the house” we can be in one accord.
When Jesus is “in the house” souls can be saved.
Great things happen when Jesus is “in the house.” Dr. Phillip Paschal
2. The house that we live in.
a. We dwell (our spirit dwells) in an earthly house. II Cor. 5:1
b. The difference between a sinner and a saint is whether Jesus is in the house or not.
B. Jesus Will Always Be In The Father’s House
John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
Revelation 21:22 “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”
V. We Must Get Jesus In The House
A. If we wish to get the house filled, we must get Jesus in the house.
There was a crowd of hearers around the door. Hearers often stand in the way of seekers. Some are so stiff and selfish that they will not move an inch out of the old rut to allow a sinner to get to Christ. They are never out of their pew on Sunday, but they will not lift their little finger to save a soul. HOP II, pg 145
B. If we want to see people saved and healed, we must get Jesus in the house. HOP
1. Those who bring others to Jesus must not be afraid of new methods.
a. If you can’t get them in as others have come, let them down through the roof.
b. If they don’t understand the word “believe,” try the word “come.”
c. If they will not come in, go out and get them.
2. Some will never come to Christ unless they are brought. It takes four to bring a sinner to Jesus:
a. The Law of God --- To convince of sin
b. The Spirit of God --- To draw
c. The Word of God --- To save
d. The Servant of God --- To bring them into His presence.
CONCLUSION
Is Jesus in Your House?
Do you have peace with God?
