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| Mark 2:6-12 Christ Forgives Sin |
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We all have one thing in common. We all are sinners in need of forgiveness. Please know today that Christ forgives sin.
In the first five verses of chapter two in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is ministering in a house in Capernaum. He is preaching about the Kingdom, repentance and faith. The house is so full of people, not another person could get through the entrance. Mark tells us that there was a paralytic who was brought to the house by four friends. They had heard about the Kingdom that Jesus was introducing throughout the land in both His words and through His actions. If they could just get this paralytic friend to Jesus they knew that things would be different.
They didn’t let a packed house and blocked entry way stop them. They took the man up to the roof, removed the tiles and lowered the man down on his bed. This took much faith, both in the paralytic and his friends “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!"
(Mark 2:6-12 ESV)
Jesus’ message of the Kingdom and demonstration of it was attracting large crowds of people, including the religionists of His day. We can’t help but notice that the religionists had seats in the crowded house and did not give them up for those who were in obvious need, such as this paralytic. Could this mimic our houses of worship today? Are the needy being taken care of or are they being crowded out? May we in our day take note that Jesus treated all people equal.
The religionists who got there early for the best seats in the house did not take kindly to Jesus forgiving this man’s sin, but I don’t want to focus entirely on the behavior of these religionists and miss the message proclaimed through Jesus’ actions. The first thing we need to notice is that Jesus was moved by the faith of the paralytic and friends. It took faith for the paralytic to allow these friends to take him to Jesus and his friend’s faith is obvious as they used their expendable time to minister to their friend and take him to where his needs could be met.
Beloved, faith without action is dead faith and nothing will come of it. Putting our faith in action will yield abundant results as we utilize our expendable time helping people and getting their needs met. What would happen in our cities if everyone who attended church on Sundays would put their faith in action during the week utilizing their expendable time to help others? It may be as simple as taking an elderly person to the doctor, coaching a little league team, providing a meal for a shut in or volunteering at a homeless shelter, hospital, nursing home, prison or jail. It seems that in our day, churches pride their self on getting parishioners to volunteer their expendable time within the walls of the church building in programs and events designed to bring people to the building. I think we have missed something vital in this strategy and people in our cities are suffering as a result. If we put our faith in action throughout the week, Jesus will do the rest and the needs of people will be met in our cities.
Next we need to see that Jesus recognized the most important need that this man had – the forgiveness of sins. I’m sure that those sitting there thought that being able to walk was his greatest need, but Jesus looked beyond the obvious. The result of faith was forgiveness of sins for this man.
Beloved, as we put our faith in action within our cities and communities, Jesus will do the rest. As we minister at the point of need, people will sense the love of Christ as our motivation and many will come to Christ and receive the forgiveness of sins. We will reach more people for Christ this way than by telling them that they are going to hell as sinners. If you go to the marginalized in your city and tell them that they are going to hell unless they come to Jesus, they will not understand because they are already living in hell. But, if churches meet the needs of the marginalized in their city, people will experience the kingdom of God in action and want to be a part of it. I thank God for the Christ following churches who are bringing people out of the hellish conditions in their city and introducing them to the love, grace, peace and freedom of God’s Kingdom through point of need ministry.
Finally, notice that Jesus knew what the religionists were thinking and addressed them. They were upset because Jesus forgave this man of His sins. Their logic and theology convinced them that only God could forgive sin. Who did Jesus think He was? Anyone could say that they forgive a person’s sin, but there is no evidence that what they say has been accomplished. Jesus, knowing what was in their heart, gave the physical evidence that verified that He had the authority to forgive sins. He gave the paralytic specific instruction and when the paralytic obeyed Jesus, physical healing took place. This man not only received the forgiveness of sin, but He could finally move and walk. The people were amazed and God was glorified.
Friend, we are sinners and Christ forgives sins. A church doesn’t. A pastor or priest doesn’t. Church membership or church attendance doesn’t. Christ does. I encourage you to allow Christ to forgive you of your sins today. Scripture tells us ”This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5-10 ESV)”
Beloved, in the world there is sin, sickness, disease and disability. As Christ followers, we have citizenship in God’s Kingdom that Christ is ruling over. Our citizenship is not of this world and we are to utilize our remaining days here putting our faith in action so that those in need can have opportunity to experience Jesus’ forgiveness of sins while seeing the Kingdom in action and desiring to be a part of it. In God’s Kingdom there is love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all.
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