THE MIRACLES

LESSON TWO

MARK 2:1-12

KEY VERSE: “I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (Mark 2:111).

In the Gospel according to Mark, we find that “because Gentile Romans were interested in power, action, and service, and not concerned with genealogy, as Jews would be Mark omits the birth and childhood of JESUS. He immediately establishes CHRIST’S DEITY by giving seventeen miracles showing HIS POWER OVER disease, nine miracles showing HIS POWER over nature, six miracles showing HIS POWER over demons, and three miracles proving HIS POWER OVER DEATH. CHRIST is truly LORD over disease, demons, death and all nature.”

As we examine this lesson, we find that it centers on the healing by JESUS of a paralytic. In the unfolding of the story, we see that as soon as the word got out that JESUS was in Capernaum “…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” (v.2). Suddenly among the crowd appears the man along with four true friends who were so determined to get him in to see JESUS in spite of the crowd that “…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” (v.4). After this demonstration of their faith, not only did JESUS heal the paralytic but HE also forgave his sins (v.5). All of this was done so that “...ye may know that THE SON OF MAN hath POWER on earth to forgive sins.” Finally, when the man was obedient and arose and took up his bed and went among the people “…they were all amazed, and glorified GOD, saying, We never saw it on this fashion” (v.12).

1. PREACH THE WORD (mark 2:1-2)

While there may be many arguments as to the reason that the multitude of people came out see JESUS to the extent that there was not room enough for them (v.2a), the one constant that I find exist between the ministry of John and JESUS’ ministry is that both of them “…preached THE WORD unto them” (v.2b) who came out. Even though the focus of the story is on the healing and forgiveness of sin, we need to understand that the basic attraction of the people was the preaching of THE WORD.

Today, we need to also embrace the fact that the only purpose for GOD to bless us to be able to effectively move people so they will continuously come out to see or hear us is not for our ego, but for the purpose of sharing with them THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE OF THE WORD. If JESUS WHO IS THE MESSAGE AS WELL AS THE MESSENGER did not bring attention to HIMSELF but to THE PROCLAIMED WORD, how can we take GOD’S GLORY for THE WORD HE has give to us? If all else fails, PREACH THE WORD!

2. WE GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS (vv.3-7)

As fore stated, the only reason that JESUS came to Capernaum was to PREACH THE WORD not to perform a miracle. We find that it was only after it was discovered that HE was there (v.1) that the four men brought their friend to see JESUS for his possible healing. I don’t know whether they expected to just get in to see JESUS or even if they knew how many people were there to see and hear HIM PREACH, but what I find most admirable about the four is that they cared at all about their friend and his potential healing. Then after encountering the main obstacle of the crowd which prevented them from getting to HIM, their friendship made them try and figure out a way to overcome their obstacle and not just give up on their friend.

It is simply “mind boggling” to conceive of the chaos that must have been created when the four faithful friends “…uncovered the roof where HE (JESUS) was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay” (v.4). In spite of what could have been said by the owner or anyone else present, we find two things immediately coming out of this encounter: first, according to the passage, instead of JESUS being upset by this situation HE was moved by “their faith” (v.5a); and, as a result, second HE forgave the sins of the stricken man.

What this demonstrates to me is that even TODAY if one is either unable for whatever reason or unwilling to undertake what is necessary to bring about his or her own “healing,” if someone, anyone cared enough to try and get that individual to JESUS then HE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST. If we would only take the initiative to be a “faithful friend” to those who find themselves in any state of “sickness” and present them to the ONE WHO IS ABLE TO GET TO ROOT OF ALL SICKNESS, which is sin, and has THE POWER and AUTHORITY to do what is necessary to get rid of the sin by simply saying “…thy sins be forgiven thee” (v.5). Isn’t it wonderful to know that we have a SAVIOR who is moved not only by the repentant sinner but also by the faith and faithfulness of the friends of the sinner?

ARISE, TAKE UP THY BED (vv.8-12)

From what I can ascertain from this passage is that the scribes’ major concern was not about the healing but about the forerunner to the healing, the forgiveness of sin. For they reasoned in their hearts (v.6), “Who can forgive sin but GOD only?” (v.7) But JESUS’ response makes it clear that just as HE has THE POWER and THE AUTHORITY to heal, HE also has THE POWER and THE AUTHORITY to forgive sin, which as fore stated HE understands is the underling cause of ALL “sickness.” For HE said that it was done “…that ye may know that THE SON OF MAN HATH POWER ON EARTH TO FORGIVE SINS” (v.10).

Finally, as a physical manifestation of the spiritual healing that had taken place (i.e. the forgiveness of sin), JESUS does not perform any kind of ritual or physical overtures. HE simply says, “I say unto thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were amazed, and glorified GOD, saying, we never saw it on this fashion” (vv.11-12).

As believers in today’s world the one “thing” that we do “know through faith” is that GOD CAN AND WILL HEAL ANYONE HE CHOOSES TO! Every healing that does or does not take place is in the ALMIGHTY HAND OF GOD! But more importantly is the role that we as CHILDREN OF GOD play in the manifestation of our healing (see my paper on “The (W)holistic Aspects of Man, Healing and Recovery). For after JESUS has forgiven us and commanded us, we must respond by our own action, “Arise, take up thy bed, and go thy way.” Thus, there is a definite part that we have to play in the success of our healing. First, after we have been forgiven then we have to forgive ourselves. Second, we have to get up off of our bed of affliction and then take up that same bed and go home accepting that we have been healed. Not only will you be amazed but all who see you will also be amazed and PRAISE GOD!

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours.

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD