Searchings in Mark 2:1-11

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Today “preaching the word” is given a bad reputation. Preaching is often thought of as standing behind a lectern or pulpit and involves passion being displayed by one man talking to a crowd. Preaching the word is so much more and, I would argue, is not limited to one man that is standing on a stage. Here we see Jesus was at home and there were so many people "that there was no more room, not even at the door." American "Christians" have a bad habit of leaving Jesus in the building and not being Jesus to the world. The problem with believing that preaching is only for the pastor is that it is not biblical. You will not find anywhere in scripture that says you are to leave the preaching to the professionals! If believers in America do not awake from their sleep and start "preaching the word" to those around them then I fear what God will say to the Church in America on judgment day.

Behold the faith of four men that carried a paralytic to Jesus and when they could not get to Him because of the crowd they tore the roof off. They knew that if they could just get this man to Jesus that He would heal him. Their faith was so strong and grounded in the Hope of Jesus healing him that no obstacle could have prevented them getting to Him. They probably asked people to move but they would not move. They probably tried every entrance but when the crowd would not get out of the way they made a way. They were going to get this man to Jesus. And when Jesus saw their faith He said, "Son, your sins are forgiven." "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" It seems the crowd parted to watch the man walk out before them. They were a hindrance in getting the man to Jesus and too eager to watch him leave.

The only reason Jesus said that the man’s sins are forgiven is so that all would know that He has authority on earth to forgive sins. This is good news!!!! This is great news!! Jesus has authority to forgive my sins. He has authority to blot out my transgressions. He has the power to make me into a new man. He has the power to tell the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk. Praise God for His wonderful gift; His son!! O how precious you are to me Lord Jesus! How great and mighty and powerful you are my King. Help me, Father, to carry those that are lame to You!
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Today “preaching the word” is given a bad reputation. Preaching is often thought of as standing behind a lectern or pulpit and involves passion being displayed by one man talking to a crowd. Preaching the word is so much more and, I would argue, is not limited to one man that is standing on a stage. Here we see Jesus was at home and there were so many people "that there was no more room, not even at the door." American "Christians" have a bad habit of leaving Jesus in the building and not being Jesus to the world. The problem with believing that preaching is only for the pastor is that it is not biblical. You will not find anywhere in scripture that says you are to leave the preaching to the professionals! If believers in America do not awake from their sleep and start "preaching the word" to those around them then I fear what God will say to the Church in America on judgment day.

Behold the faith of four men that carried a paralytic to Jesus and when they could not get to Him because of the crowd they tore the roof off. They knew that if they could just get this man to Jesus that He would heal him. Their faith was so strong and grounded in the Hope of Jesus healing him that no obstacle could have prevented them getting to Him. They probably asked people to move but they would not move. They probably tried every entrance but when the crowd would not get out of the way they made a way. They were going to get this man to Jesus. And when Jesus saw their faith He said, "Son, your sins are forgiven." "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" It seems the crowd parted to watch the man walk out before them. They were a hindrance in getting the man to Jesus and too eager to watch him leave.

The only reason Jesus said that the man’s sins are forgiven is so that all would know that He has authority on earth to forgive sins. This is good news!!!! This is great news!! Jesus has authority to forgive my sins. He has authority to blot out my transgressions. He has the power to make me into a new man. He has the power to tell the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk. Praise God for His wonderful gift; His son!! O how precious you are to me Lord Jesus! How great and mighty and powerful you are my King. Help me, Father, to carry those that are lame to You!