Sermon Tone Analysis

The Son of Man Forgives and Heals

This shows a combination of forms:

a Healing account

a controversy story

pronouncement story

Healing begins in a typical manner, with the statement of the problem:

a paralyzed man is unable to reach Jesus because of the crush of the crowds.

(vv.

1-4)

The man’s four friends improvise by tearing up the rood to lower him into the house.

Jesus is impressed by their faith

we expect him to heal the man, but he shocks the onlookers by pronouncing the man’s sins are forgiven.

The healing now turns to a controversy story,

the religious leaders secretly accuse Jesus of blasphemy for claiming the prerogative.

Jesus bests them by pronouncing his authority as the “Son of Man” to forgive sins on earth (v.10)

and then by healing the man as proof of this claim (vv.

11-12)

The episode climaxes, as often in Mark, with the amazed reaction of the crowds, who praise God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

The Authority of Jesus

Jesus’ authority is on center stage throughout the early Galilean ministry, and this passage is no exception.

Its central theme is the authority of Jesus as the Messiah both to heal disease and to forgive sins.

Jesus’ miracles confirm his message.

The remarkable claim to forgive sins is verified in a profound and public manner as the man gets right up and walks out “in front of them all”

Forgiveness and Healing

The close connection between forgiveness and healing is also central to the story.

Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of God is not just about the salvation of souls.

It is about God’s reclamation of his creation.

Since the sin of Adam and Eve, creation has been in a fallen state (Gen.

3:17-18), resulting in disease, death, and decay.

Within the OT prophets promised eschatological restoration and linked this with the forgiveness of sins and a reconciled relationship with God.

For Paul, the peace with God achieved through Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross Rom 5:1, means not only forgiveness of sins, salvation of our souls, and eternal life Rom 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

but also

the restoration and renewal of creation Rom 8:20-21

To include the renewal of our bodies.

1 Cor 15:42-44

At this time of eschatological renewal, the eyes of the blind [will] be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy”

Jesus offers forgiveness of sins, and then restores this lame man as evidence of the presence and power of the kingdom of God.

Faith and Healing

The authority of Jesus to heal and to forgive is central to the passage, there are a few important subsidiary points:

the faith of the friends

the blindness and hypocrisy of the religious leaders

the compassion of Jesus.

Radical faith believes God can do anything and is wiling to take a risk to see it happen.

Faith is closely linked to healing in Mark’s gospel.

In Mark 6:5, we are surprised to learn that Jesus “could not do any miracles” in Nazareth because of their lack of faith.

This “failure” was not because of a lack of power on Jesus’ part, but because he could do nothing for those who refused to acknowledge their need of him.

While faith is not a magic formula that compels God to act.

it is a heartfelt expression of dependence on him and trust that he is able to save.

The religious leaders, who here rejected Jesus’ messianic authority, will in the next episode refuse to acknowledge their need of him.

They are the “healthy” who have no need of a doctor.

Jesus has “not come to call righteous people, but sinners”

those who recognize their need of him.

Sin and Disease

We finally see the passage raises the difficult question of the relationship between sin and disease

It was widely believed in Jesus’ day that personal sin led to disease.

In John 9:2

we see Jesus’ disciples assume that a man’s blindness was the result of sin.

But Jesus denies that either is the case.

Paul, however, testifies that sin in the Corinthian congregation - especially disunity in the Lord’s Supper - has resulted in sickness and even death.

The Talmud reveals similar views in later Judaism: “No one gets up from his sick-bed until all his sins are forgiven” (b.

Ned.

41a)

James encourages prayer and anointing with oil by the elders of the church for those who are sick and affirms that “prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well… If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”

(James 5:15)

This text confirms that infirmity may or may not be related to personal sin.

In Pastoral care, it is important to practice both compassion and discernment, allowing for the possibility that disease or misfortune may result form divine discipline, but never assuming this to be the case.

Whatever the cause, the pastoral response should be the same: to pray for the person and to offer God’s compassion, love, and forgiveness.

Infirmity and hardship always provide opportunities for spiritual growth,

calling us to a closer walk with God and a greater dependence on him.

Our Identity is not determined by what we do; it is determined by who we are in Christ.

Be reminded of your identity in Christ, that they are not just products of your past and that you do not have to be victims anymore.

We need to know that Satan has no power over them unless they allow it.

Remember this:

God’s attributes:

God is omnipotent (all-powerful)

His power is greater than we can comprehend.

He defeated Satan at Calvary in fulfillment of the OT prophecies.

He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities

Though you may feel you are being pulled by two equal but opposite powers, that is not the case.

That is deception.

You must choose to

God is Omnipresent (everywhere at once)

He is here right now.

As Psalm 125:2 says:

Satan cannot be everywhere at once.

There is a hierarchy of his emissaries, but they are like little gnats.

They get in your face and distract you, but they have no power over you.

God is Omniscient (all-knowing)

He knows the thoughts and intentions of your heart

He loves you unconditionally

He knows the trauma you have experienced and He stands ready to set you free from your past if you will submit to Him.

Satan cannot perfectly read your mind, although he can give you thoughts to deceive and condemn you.

Understand and assume your position in Christ by resolving the personal and spiritual conflicts that are critical between yourself and God.

What counts in not what anyone of us can do for you but what Christ has already done for you.

He came to destroy the works of the devil.

and to give us life

He is the only one that can set us free as you submit to Him.

There are certain identifiable hurdles - spiritual, rational, emotional, volitional, and relational - that must be overcome in order to begin or continue growing in Christ.