The Healing Touch of Jesus:
Breakthrough To Jesus
Mark 1:40 - 2:17
Introduction
On this first Sunday of the new year, we begin a new series of messages called The Healing Touch of Jesus. We will be making our way through Mark’s Gospel. In this series we will encounter many people who need the healing
touch of Jesus - even today we will look at three different people who shared in common the one thing - they needed what only Jesus could give them. Each one of them had to break through barriers to get to Jesus. Each one of them had to make a great effort to receive what Jesus willingly gave them. We ultimately want to think about ourselves - what do you need to break through to receive what King Jesus wants to give you?
1. Three People Who Needed to Break Through to Jesus
A Man who had to break through the stigma of leprosy. (MK 1:40-45). Leprosy, a virulent skin disease, brought consequences. Scriptural stigma - the OT declares sequestering the infected. Religious stigma - the leaders would have kept him from Synogogue / Temple. Social stigma - no one would associate with them, no one would come near them. Medical Stigma - this was a deadly condition. This defines the man’s question to Jesus, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant - he wanted to declare clearly, “I am willing.” The man was to go through the process of being declared clean by a priest, and make an offering, but instead he went out and told everyone about the healer who cleansed him!
Mark 1:45b “Jesus was no longer able to enter any town openly but stayed outside in remote places. Still they kept coming to him from everywhere.”
He had to break through many barriers to get to Jesus!
A paralyzed man who had to break through the crowd! (MK 2:1-12). A paralyzed man has friends who have heard the stories about a man who has healed the sick. They would like nothing better for their friend but that he could walk with them. As you might expect, the healer has a crowd around him and it’s hard to get near him. No matter how hard they try, they can’t get to him. Then one of them has a brilliant idea. They needed a breakthrough to get to Jesus, so they literally broke through the roof! Jesus didn’t say anything about the roof, but he did say two amazing things:
-Mark 2:5 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
-Mark 2:11-12 “I tell you, stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.’ And immediately the man stood up, took his
stretcher, and went out in front of them all. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’”
A man who had to break through the stigma, a man who had to break through the crowds, and…
A Man who had to break through his past. Jesus walked by the tax collector’s booth and saw Levi. Levi somewhere along the way decided to be a tax man - one of the most hated people of his time. Lane: A Jewish Tax Collector was regarded as an outcast from society: disqualified as a judge or a witness in a court, excommunicated from the synagogue, and in the eyes of the community his disgrace extended to his family. How do you think people spoke to him each day? How Did the Romans regard him? Easily replaced. Maybe the kind word from Jesus was the first he heard that day...that month … or in many months. Trapped in a hated profession, when Jesus said “Follow Me” the Bible says Levi “got up and followed him.” Next, the dinner at Levi’s house was a sight - tax collectors and sinners - rejects and outcasts - were eating with Jesus and his disciples. It made the religious people crazy. This is what Jesus had to say: “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)
In a short space we have A man who had to break through the stigma of disease, a man who had to break through the crowds, and a man who had to break through past decisions. Can you relate to any of these?
2. Maybe we all need to breakthrough to Jesus!
What in your life represents a barrier to being close to God? Do you need to …
Breakthrough our guilt over past mistakes.
Breakthrough our attitudes that do not honor God.
Breakthrough our resistance to following Jesus.
Breakthrough our persistent sins.
Breakthrough our pain, sorrow, sickness, discouragement.
I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t appreciate a breakthrough to Jesus in their lives.
What would help us experience a breakthrough to Jesus?
Realize that He is Willing! The leper said “if you are willing” and Jesus declared “I am willing!” John pictures Jesus as knocking at the door wanting to come in! (Revelation 3:20 Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me.)
Jesus says the Father runs to the Prodigal!
Remember that Jesus responds when he sees our faith! Put all your sins in front of him like those friends dropped their paralyzed friend down in front of Jesus! Jesus will forgive and heal … we can do this in prayer, baptism, and walking in His way, leaving old ways behind!
Put your past behind you by following Jesus. He is not expecting perfection - and he invites all of your imperfect friends to come along. Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
“Jesus does more than preach repentance to sinners; he befriends them.” (Garland)
Conclusion
Barclay observed that “Of all the disciples Matthew gave up most. He, of all of them , literally left all to follow Jesus. The fishermen could go back to the boats. … But Matthew burned his boats completely. With one decision he put himself out of a job forever ... He staked everything on Christ, and he was not wrong. What is Jesus speaking into your life today?”
I’m praying today that someone will experience a breakthrough for Jesus - His love for us is not based upon our performance or our perfection. He’s not waiting for you to get it all together before you come to Him! "No physician waits for the ill to recover fully before consulting with them. As their physician, Jesus offers the remedy that vanquishes the illness of these so-called sinners." (Garland)
He simply invites us to follow Him.
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Discussion Questions
1. When the leper asked Jesus if he was willing, Jesus’ reaction is a little surprising. This is a translation issue that is difficult to resolve. Some say “indignant”, some say “compassionate”, some say he was moved with “pity”. Which one seems more like Jesus to you, and how does that fit into this story? (Mark 1:40-41)
2. The dedication of the four friends of the lame man is really amazing. Imagine yourself in that setting and relate some ways that this might not have been welcomed by those present. In what ways can we apply the principle of faith demonstrated by the friends in our own lives?
3. When Jesus saw these four men and what they did he noticed their faith. Why is it important to have friends who are people of faith? What friend of faith, outside of your family, has had the greatest influence on you?
4. What did Jesus mean when he asked the question, “Which is easier to say?” Why would it be easier to say “your sins are forgiven”? (Mark 2:9)
5. What might be unusual about Jesus calling Levi to come be a disciple? What can keep us from overlooking unlikely disciples?
6. Jesus moves from the calling of Levi to eating at his table along with a crowd of non-disciples. What do you learn from this? How do you think we can balance friendship with non-disciples with the need to be separate from the world?
7. None of us want to be in the shoes of the Scribes and Pharisees in these stories. In what ways can we fall into those attitudes? What can we do to make sure we do not take the perspective they had?
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Interesting quotes I did not use in the Sermon
Garland: Archaeological discoveries in Capernaum, however, reveal that the houses were made of rough basalt without mortar, and they could not support more than a thatch roof. The sloping roof consisted of wooden cross beams overlaid with a matting of reeds, branches, and dried mud. It had to be replenished and rolled every fall before the onset of the winter rains. It did not take a jackhammer for the men to break through the roof, and it could be easily repaired.
John Mark Hicks: “The key line in the story is “the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (2:10). This statement has some powerful language: “Son of Man,” “authority,” and forgiveness. “Son of Man” is title that only Jesus uses in the Gospel of Mark, and it is his favorite self-description. It does not refer primarily to his humanity. Rather, the title projects an eschatological role where authority and power belong to the one who reigns from the throne of God. If not a divine title, it is at least an exalted one where the person who is the Son of Man is worshipped, honored and obeyed by all creation and all the nations upon the earth (cf. Daniel 7:13-14). It is his role as Son of Man that authorizes him to forgive sin, a divine prerogative.”
Caruthers - His appropriation of the designation shows another aspect of his earthly identity and function (for example, to forgive sin). As Son of Man, Jesus not only comes to forgive sin and offer salvation, but he is also an eschatological figure who is involved with the final judgment. His dual role (as Messiah and Son of Man) adds to how his ministry and messianic message are interpreted as well as to what his second advent (coming) entails.
John Mark Hicks: Who are we in this story? Are we followers of Jesus who bring good news to the sick and unforgiven? Or are we in the crowd–people filled with wonder, amazement and worship in response to the acts of Jesus? Or are we the friends who help bring others to Jesus? Or are we paralytics in need of healing and forgiveness? Or are we the teachers who question, doubt, and opposes the good news in action? We read this Gospel to discover ourselves. We do not read it simply to get the facts, but to participate in the story. Discovering where we are in the story illuminates the story of our own lives. It will shape our identity if we immerse ourselves in it.
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Resources
Caruthers, Rodney. Working Preacher Commentary.
https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/jesus-heals-and-teaches-2/commentary-on-mark-21-22-4
Donovan, Richard Neill. Commentary on Mark 2:1-12
https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary-old/mark-21-12/
Garland, D. E. NIV A Commentary: Mark. Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.
Hicks, John Mark. The Son of Man Forgives Sins.
http://johnmarkhicks.com/2011/09/24/marl-21-12-the-son-of-man-forgives-sins/
Heitzman, Kaleb. The Calling of Levi (3 Minute Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIvo8QMdjyY
Lane, William L. NICNT: The Gospel of Mark. Eerdmans, 1974.
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