Lesson 4-  Mark Chapter 2

Events in Chapter Two That You Don’t See Every Day:

Vs. 3-12:  Healing of the Paralytic

Vs. 4:  Sins are forgiven

Vs. 8:  Knew what they were thinking

Vs. 11:  Healing

Vs. 13-14:  Calling of Levi (Matthew) The Tax Collector

Vs. 14:  Levi actually got up & followed

Vs. 19:  Jesus speaks prophetically

NOTES-CHAPTER TWO

Vs. 1-2  Capernaum

Capernaum was the home base of Jesus.  Who’s home was he staying at?  Most scholars believe that it was Peter’s home, while there are a few that claim that his mother Mary & his brothers lived there.  Answer-we don’t know for sure, but everyone knew where to find him.

Vs. 3-12 Healing of The Paralyzed Guy

Vs. 3-5  The Hole in the Roof Gang

Can you imagine digging a hole in someone’s roof in order to get a sick person before the healer?  The guy had some ‘real’ friends.  I can just see Jesus in the house teaching, when a little dust falls, then a clod or two comes down from the ceiling. Then when everyone looks up, a part of the roof comes crashing in.  Then comes the strangest stage entrance of all time–down comes a pallet with a paralyzed guy.  Talk about upstaging everybody–this guy cut & went to the front of the line.  But Jesus heals the guy anyway–he forgives him not only for ruining the roof, but also for all of his sins.

Vs. 6  Religious Leaders Vs. Jesus ‘The Son of Man’

The teachers of the Law were indignant–who does this fellow think he is forgiving sins?–only God can do that.  That is the point isn’t it-Jesus was either a crazy person, or he was the ‘Son of man’ and really did have authority to forgive.

The ‘Son of man’ title was familiar to the hearers–it originated in Daniel 7:13-14.  The ‘Son of man’ in Daniel is a Messianic figure that goes way beyond being just a King, but has Divine power, authority, & everlasting dominion–his Kingdom will never pass away and every people & nation will worship him.  Also, many writings during the inter-testamental period (400 BC-0) referred to the coming Messiah as ‘the Son of Man’.

Vs. 8-11 Jesus Heals the Man

Jesus answers his critics by healing the paralyzed man.  Therefore, he was not guilty of blasphemy.  After all, no man can do either–only God can really heal & forgive.  Lord Jesus, forgive us & heal us also!

Q:  Why did Jesus forgive his sins first?  Just so he could make a point?

A:  When Jesus ministered to people, he did what was necessary to bring complete healing.  Regardless of those around who might be confused.  We live in a fallen world, all of us have sinned & sometimes our sin can get in the way of our receiving complete healing in our lives.  All of us needs a Savior, and we all need Jesus to forgive us.  If you need Jesus to forgive your sins, just ask him now–he will forgive every mistake and every wrong thing you ever did.  You only need to ask.  He will be your Savior for all Eternity if you ask him.  He can be your greatest friend. Just ask him now!  We don’t know the background of the paralyzed man, we only know, and those there could only see his need for physical relief.  When the physical healing did come-everyone rejoiced and glorified God.  Only Jesus knows your real need today–just ask him.

Vs. 13-17  The Calling of Levi (Matthew)

‘Levi’-his given name, Matthew (Gift of The Lord) was his Apostolic name, and the name of the Gospel he wrote.

‘Tax Collector’ -Probably was collecting road tolls for Herod Antipas.  They were disparaged and looked down upon by most.  They were notorious for being dishonest and acting contrary to the Mosaic Law.

Vs. 17  In any context, all of us humans are sick & in need of Dr. Jesus–and he will fellowship with us also, regardless of our past.

Vs. 18-22  Fasting

Fasting had become a perfunctory duty of the religious.  Sometimes they made a show of it in order to appear to be more religious than they actually were.  Jesus uses the symbol of a ‘wedding banquet’ to explain the present context between him & his disciples.  It is a time of celebration–after all, the King has come!  After Jesus left, the Apostles & early Christians did indeed fast.  When the King comes again, all Christians are invited to a great feast–’The Wedding of the Lamb’ Rev. 19:7.  Until then, fasting is still in.

Vs. 21-22  Wine & Wineskins

Jesus & his disciples represented the coming of a new era.–’the new wine’ –the new covenant; while the Mosaic Law & religion represented ‘the old wineskin’–the Older Covenant.

Vs.  23-27  The Sabbath Controversy

Jesus & his disciples buck up against the religious leaders of their day.  The Pharisees see Jesus and his followers picking grain as they walked through a field on the Sabbath.  They charged them with technically harvesting grain, which was work, and work was forbidden on Saturday.  Do we have any nitpickers like that, in our Churches today?

Vs. 25  David & his Followers-see story in I Sam. 21:1-6.

Vs. 27  Jesus questions-what is the real purpose of the Sabbath?  The day of rest was supposed to be good for the people & a time to worship God.

Vs. 28  Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus teaches & proclaims that his authority supersedes the Laws of Moses & the laws concerning the Sabbath.  He is ‘The Son of Man’ and lord of the Sabbath, and Lord of everything.  Is he your Lord today?  Just ask him to be, and your life will change forever. Amen.

Read Mark Chapter Three

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