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Sunday School | January 17, 2021
Called to Heal
Bible Background · MARK 2:1-12
Printed Text · MARK 2:1-12 | Devotional Reading · PSALM 103:1-14 |
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Aim for ChangeBy the end of this lesson, we will STUDY Mark’s account of Jesus healing the man who was paralyzed, APPRECIATE how one’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs are intertwined, and PRAY for God’s healing grace to touch us at our particular point of need.
In FocusBrenda listened to the small group’s prayer requests. They were going to pray for Lee’s cousin who had cancer, Jordan’s knee replacement surgery, and Georgie’s nephew who had an opioid addiction. Brenda thought hard, but her family was blessed with good health at the moment. She had just video-chatted with her parents a couple of days ago and everyone was happy and healthy.
Especially in the face of the other serious prayer requests, she felt embarrassed to ask about what was really weighing on her heart. She often suffered from mild Seasonal Affective Disorder. She had felt it settling in over her once Christmas vacation back home in Mississippi was over and she had come back to Virginia where she worked. When it was her turn, Brenda took a deep breath and shared, “I feel silly asking this, but could you guys pray for my mental health?” Brenda met the small group’s sympathetic gazes. “I usually have seasonal depression and I’m worried this year will be worse than usual since this is my first winter here away from my family.” “No need to feel silly at all, Brenda. Thanks for letting us know how to help you,” the small group leader Jordan said. “I’ve had some bouts with depression myself and I am happy to talk with you about it, if you want.” God cares about our wholeness in all aspects of our beings—bodily, mentally, and spiritually. How can we work as the church to make sure we minister to the whole person? Keep in Mind“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?” (Mark 2:9, KJV)
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Focal VersesMark 2:1-12
1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 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. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 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. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. The People, Places, and TimesPalsy. This disability is due to the loss of motor function of muscles or certain nerves. It refers to all forms of paralysis. The word “palsy” translates the Greek word paralutikos (pahrah- loo-tih-KAHSS) from which we derive the English words paralytic and paralysis. The man in this week’s Scripture is paralyzed, hence he is unable to walk by himself to meet Jesus. Matthew records the Capernaum centurion asking Jesus to heal his servant of paralysis, which causes him terrible suffering. (Matthew 8:5-6). The apostles also healed those who suffer from this condition (Acts 8:7; 9:33-34).
Scribes. Often called lawyers, doctors, or teachers of the law (Matthew 22:35), they were not considered a Jewish sect or a party, nor were they priests. The title scribe referred to their capacity as transcribers of the Hebrew Bible. They would copy the entire Old Testament by hand onto new scrolls when a new copy was needed. This careful, precise copying of the entire Law, Prophets, and Writings gave them great knowledge of the Scriptures. Mark presents the scribes as often in the company of Pharisees and of the chief priests and coming from Jerusalem. Have you had special training or a profession that gave you expertise in a subject? How do you and others value that skill? BackgroundThe news of Jesus, the worker of miracles, spread throughout Capernaum. This was an exciting time. The community had never experienced a healer and teacher like Jesus. No wonder Mark 1:32-33 speaks of the townspeople bringing all the sick and demon-possessed to Jesus. And in Jesus’ great compassion He healed every one of them, but He too needed a time of restful healing. So the next morning He departed to be alone with the Father.
The Scriptures do not tell the length of Jesus’ solitude, but His time was shortened by the disciples’ appearance. Jesus did not appear to be irritated by the disciples’ presence, but informed them that He must preach in other places: “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth” (from Mark 1:38). Of a certainty there were more people in need of healing in Capernaum, but Jesus knew His mission was to spread the Gospel to everyone, so He traveled to other towns. Do you make time to recharge with periods of solitude? At-A-Glance1. Jesus Preaches (Mark 2:1-4)
2. Jesus Pardons (vv. 5-9) 3. Jesus Heals (vv. 10-12) |
In Depth
1. Jesus Preaches (Mark 2:1-4) When Jesus entered Capernaum (v. 1), He preached “the word,” meaning the Gospel of God’s kingdom. Mark’s description of the enthusiastic crowd that gathered suggests that it filled the house, jammed the doorway, and spilled out into the street. What a tribute to the ministry of Jesus!
Four men carrying “one sick of the palsy” joined the crowd but were unable to access Jesus through the doorway. Therefore, to get within touching distance of Jesus, they carried the paralytic up the outside stairway to the roof of the house. The oriental house structures in those days were one or two stories, built in a rectangle or square. They had one door that opened into an open space called the porch. Often the porch contained a stairway that led to the roof. So these friends saw the roof as a means to reach Jesus. They tore the roof open and lowered the paralytic on his bed down through the opening to where Jesus stood preaching. What a scene!
Share about a time you have worked hard to help a friend hear the word of God.
2. Jesus Pardons (vv. 5-9) Jesus knows this extraordinary action was based on extraordinary faith. He pardons the crippled man’s sin. The teachers of the law said nothing but were outraged as they pondered Jesus forgiving the sins of another. Based on Old Testament laws (Exodus 34:6–7), the scribes knew only God had the authority to forgive sins. In their view, Jesus had committed blasphemy (Leviticus 24:15-16), a serious charge that was punishable by death. Even though the scribes do not voice their concerns aloud, Jesus knows their thoughts, which serves as further proof that He is the all-knowing, all-powerful God. Jesus declares His authority as One who is able not only to heal but also to forgive sins. Jesus’ words convey to the scribes that forgiving sins are no harder than healing. Since Jesus can heal, as the scribes had seen Him do, then He can also forgive sins.
3. Jesus Heals (vv. 10-12) Jesus turns His attention to the paralytic and commands him, “Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (v. 11). The healing verified Jesus’ claim to grant forgiveness. Since the healing was real and impossible for any but God, the claim to forgive sins is also real. The paralytic immediately arose, took up his bed, and walked out in full view of the crowd. This amazed everyone and they praised God—they had never seen anything like this!
Every healing that takes place is cause for rejoicing and praising God. God still heals, but we all know instances where healing didn’t occur. Sometimes in the face of our illness, our faith demonstrates God’s higher purpose (John 9) and our relationship with Him. Our faith, despite the absence of physical healing, can recognize the grace of God’s peace and strength amid our weakened state. God’s healing may be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Even in the absence of healing (2 Corinthians 12:7), we must remember that His grace is sufficient and our faith is the trademark of our relationship with Him—a relationship based on the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with our God.
Four men carrying “one sick of the palsy” joined the crowd but were unable to access Jesus through the doorway. Therefore, to get within touching distance of Jesus, they carried the paralytic up the outside stairway to the roof of the house. The oriental house structures in those days were one or two stories, built in a rectangle or square. They had one door that opened into an open space called the porch. Often the porch contained a stairway that led to the roof. So these friends saw the roof as a means to reach Jesus. They tore the roof open and lowered the paralytic on his bed down through the opening to where Jesus stood preaching. What a scene!
Share about a time you have worked hard to help a friend hear the word of God.
2. Jesus Pardons (vv. 5-9) Jesus knows this extraordinary action was based on extraordinary faith. He pardons the crippled man’s sin. The teachers of the law said nothing but were outraged as they pondered Jesus forgiving the sins of another. Based on Old Testament laws (Exodus 34:6–7), the scribes knew only God had the authority to forgive sins. In their view, Jesus had committed blasphemy (Leviticus 24:15-16), a serious charge that was punishable by death. Even though the scribes do not voice their concerns aloud, Jesus knows their thoughts, which serves as further proof that He is the all-knowing, all-powerful God. Jesus declares His authority as One who is able not only to heal but also to forgive sins. Jesus’ words convey to the scribes that forgiving sins are no harder than healing. Since Jesus can heal, as the scribes had seen Him do, then He can also forgive sins.
3. Jesus Heals (vv. 10-12) Jesus turns His attention to the paralytic and commands him, “Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (v. 11). The healing verified Jesus’ claim to grant forgiveness. Since the healing was real and impossible for any but God, the claim to forgive sins is also real. The paralytic immediately arose, took up his bed, and walked out in full view of the crowd. This amazed everyone and they praised God—they had never seen anything like this!
Every healing that takes place is cause for rejoicing and praising God. God still heals, but we all know instances where healing didn’t occur. Sometimes in the face of our illness, our faith demonstrates God’s higher purpose (John 9) and our relationship with Him. Our faith, despite the absence of physical healing, can recognize the grace of God’s peace and strength amid our weakened state. God’s healing may be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Even in the absence of healing (2 Corinthians 12:7), we must remember that His grace is sufficient and our faith is the trademark of our relationship with Him—a relationship based on the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with our God.
Search the Scriptures
1. What was the main thing that Jesus noticed about the four men who brought their friend to Him? (v. 5)
2. What did Jesus do before He told the man to “take up thy bed, and walk”? (v. 9)
3. What was the reaction of the people when Jesus healed the paralytic? (v. 12) What about when He forgave his sins?
2. What did Jesus do before He told the man to “take up thy bed, and walk”? (v. 9)
3. What was the reaction of the people when Jesus healed the paralytic? (v. 12) What about when He forgave his sins?
Discuss the Meaning
1. Why did Jesus perform the miracle of forgiveness before performing the miracle of healing (Mark 2:10)?
2. Given their commitment to upholding Jewish law, were the scribes justified in their accusations against Jesus? What motivated their thinking?
2. Given their commitment to upholding Jewish law, were the scribes justified in their accusations against Jesus? What motivated their thinking?
Source | Precepts for Living
Daily Bible Readings |
Worksheet |
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MONDAY
Peace and Healing Will Come (Isaiah 57:14–21) TUESDAY Healed by Christ’s Wounds (1 Peter 2:18–25) WEDNESDAY Canaanite Daughter Healed by Mother’s Faith (Matthew 15:21–28) THURSDAY Anoint Sick with Oil and Prayer (James 5:13–16) FRIDAY Woman Healed by Her Faith (Mark 5:21–34) SATURDAY The Sick Need a Physician (Mark 2:13–17) SUNDAY Jesus Heals and Forgives the Paralytic (Mark 2:1–12) |
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