The Great Physician
1) 2-1-09…AM…SBC 2)
“The Great Physician”
Mark 2:1-17
Ø Jesus public ministry is now in full swing – His miracles thrust Him into the forefront of the public’s eye 1:45
1) The Healer of Hearts
· Jesus is operating in the towns around the region of Galilee (slide)
- Christ began the book by traveling from Nazareth to the Jordan River to be baptized (1:9)
- The Spirit took him to the Wilderness (1:12) – an undisclosed location
- Alongside the sea of Galilee (1:16) – calling of the first disciples
- Stops in Capernaum (1:21) – casts out s Spirit, heals Peter’s mother-in-law
- Left Capernaum and ministers throughout the region of Galilee (1:39) – heals a leper
- Returns to Capernaum (2:1) – many scholars call this His base of operations
B- The healing of the Paralytic Man v1-12
1- Upon returning he enters into a house – either his own house or Peter’s house (Matt 4:13)
2- Regardless of whose house it was the word got out that Jesus was in town
· the house was full – disciples, friends, “rubbernecks”, theological scholars of the Law
· not even the door was accessible – this house was in clear violation of the fire codes
3- In his own unique manner (see 1:22) Jesus was bringing the gospel to this audience. [1]
· Jesus is teaching a new lesson which is not fully revealed until v10
· “The Word” – not just some words but the Good News (1:14-15)
· The word that He was preaching was the same word he had been preaching all along
- repent of your sins which God the Father is angry with will punish you for
- believe in Me (Christ), the Good news (1:15) – the Son of God
- His teaching had authority behind it (1:22) – different then the Scribes
Ø it is only by this same Word, as it is preached in pulpits, in m/w/c groups and individuals that people will be saved
Ø it is only as we desire to know The Word and live out His words will be begin to be more like Christ
Ø this Word that Jesus preached was central to His ministry and it must be central to all of the ministries that flow out of this church
Ø It is only by adherence to these words that true biblical church growth can happen
Ø “other gospels” – (2 Cor 11:4) the gospel of works, the gospel of self, the name it and claim it gospel, the God is only love gospel, the I’m ok you’re ok gospel, the Social Gospel
Ø Anything less than God’s punishment of sin and redemption of mankind through Jesus Christ is not the Gospel of the Bible – it is only by belief in this Gospel that one can be assured of entrance into heaven
4- Men arrive—paralytic friend—could not get near—removed the roof—lowed the man down
5- Jesus saw their faith v5
· what we must not lose focus on there is the trust they had in Jesus
· we modern readers must understand the connection between healing and forgiveness
- In the Bible sickness and other kinds of suffering sometimes result from sin (John 5:14; Jas 5:15; cf. Job; John 9:2–3).[2]
- Many thought that if one was “sick” there must have been a sin to get them there
- Jesus simply showed that this man’s physical condition had a basic spiritual cause.[3] – a cause for which man needed cleansing
· The reference to faith is significant since Mark associates it with other miracles as well
- Jesus saw their faith in Him and their affirmation of His message
- Their repentance and belief in Christ as the Son of God is what brought spiritual healing to each of these men
Ø Jesus saw that what the paralyzed man desired and what he needed most was the forgiveness of sins (anti-social gospel)
Ø Jesus knew, however, that this man’s sins—the many ways in which by means of his attitudes, thoughts, words, and deeds he had missed the mark of living in harmony with God’s will—grieved him deeply.[4]
Ø The needs of our world today (you) are not social, racial, political or even economic – they (you) are needs which only Christ can satisfy
- we, corporately and individually, must be addressing the true needs of the culture around us
- how are you addressing the needs of the people around you?
6- Jesus forgave the man of his sins – that is when hearts of the scribes were revealed v6-12
· The Scribes were offended by Jesus’ veiled pronouncement of being God.[5]
· In their hearts the scribes were angry that Jesus had forgiven this man’s sins because only God could do that – this they took as blasphemy against God
· They have two choices before them – accept Jesus as God or accept it as blasphemy
· They reasoned in their hearts that it was easier for Christ to say “your sins are forgiven” then “get up and walk” because no one could tell if the man’s sins were forgiven but if he told him to “get up and walk” and it didn’t happen then there would be embarrassment
· Christ knew their hearts were questioning all of this showed them that the Son of God has power to both heal hearts and to heal illnesses v8-12
Ø Mark reports that the reaction of the people was one of astonishment
Ø Jesus authenticated for them through this miracle that His message of being the Son of God was true
Transition: Not only did Jesus once again validate His message, but he also gave to us His mission statement
C- The Conversion of Levi v13-17
1- While out with the crowds Jesus passed by Levi the tax collector
· Levi would have been in the service of Herod the ruler of the region of Galilee
· For such service, often involving fraudulent practices, these officials were despised by the Jews.[6] – referred to as traitors—reputation of being extortionists
· Yet it was to such a hated individual, such a publican, that Jesus now turns, in order to make him one of his disciples.[7]
2- In similar fashion to the calling of the other disciples (1:16-20) he calls Levi/Matthew to follow
· Both Mark and Matthew record the decisive and immediate obedience by Levi
· Luke 5:28 tells us that Matthew left everything to follow Christ
· He left his lucrative business and trusted that God would provide for his needs.[8]
3- Levi’s eagerness and sincerity to follow Jesus is evident in that he hosted a banquet in Jesus’ honor
· attending this banquet were Levi, Jesus, His disciples, sinners and tax collectors
4- The scribes witness this banquet and cowardly approach the disciples as to why Jesus associates Himself with sinners and tax collectors
5- Jesus hears of this murmuring and addresses them by providing for them and for us His earthly mission statement v17
· In Semitic society table fellowship was one of the most intimate expressions of friendship. For this reason the religious leaders could not understand how Jesus could be a religious person and dine with “bad characters” (v. 15, NEB).[9]
· Jesus replied to the accusations with a statement that affirms that he is not associating with them because he is just like them
· What Jesus proclaims is that to refuse to associate with sinners would have been as foolish as for a doctor not to associate with the sick.[10]
Ø Jesus clarifies to whom his offer of salvation is for
· not to those who consider themselves worthy, but rather to those who are unworthy and in desperate need. [11]
· this is exactly what the doctrine of Sin teaches each and every one of us – we are unworthy and in desperate need
· the only way to heaven is as a self-confessed sinner
Ø Jesus’ mission was to call all sinners to repentance – even the ones who thought they didn’t need it
Transition to Application:
What about you and me? Are we more like Levi or like the Scribes? When confronted with the authority of Jesus in the Bible and His call to discipleship what are we doing?
1- Salvation—Faith—Repentance—Belief—
A- Jesus demonstrated His power to remove the sin of the paralytic– Have your sins be removed?
- are you here today and terminally sick with sin?—the Great physician is waiting to heal you
2- Individual: How well do you know the Gospel? (know it well)
A- If you now the Gospel how well are you preaching the Gospel to yourself?
1. don’t tune out when the Gospel is presented – reaffirm your belief in it’s truth, promises and power
2. See your ongoing battle with sin as a insult to what Christ did for you (the Gospel)
B- Share the Gospel with others – Levi demonstrated a desire to share his new life with others
1. the Gospel was not meant to be widely preached until you received it and then stored in a vault
2. Jesus took the Scribes’ affront to the Gospel head on with boldness and confidence—Do you fearlessly stand up and proclaim for the Gospel?
C- Jesus came to minister to the needs of others—He left us to continue that ministry to each other
1. Are you aware of any needs that you can minster to?
2. Are you go proud to admit the needs that you have to others?
3. What kind of Physician’s assistant are we in meeting the needs of other people?
3- Church
A- Once a disciple, always a disciple! – Philippians 1:6 – he began the good work…we bring it to completion
1. be encouraged that God has a hold of you and will never let you go
2. be encouraged that Christ had the authority to forgive your sins and provide salvation and that you didn’t have to rely on your own good works
3. be encouraged by knowing that your aim for discipleship in Christ is a honorable and glorious task
4. don’t give up—Keep fighting sin—persevere through difficulty—trust in God
B- As a church we must know and live the Gospel
1. When the “other gospel” is knocking at the door - we must know the Gospel
2. When the false teacher is trying to sneak in the back door - we must know the Gospel
3. When the devil tries to climb in the window of our hearts – we must know the Gospel
1- What does it mean to be a Christian?—from this passage it means to recognize Christ’s authority and live it
The love of Jesus for all kinds of sinners, his initiative in seeking them, his giving them full acceptance, and his desire to have close fellowship with them was a revolutionary element in religion. Mark intended to convey the message that the disciples of Jesus should have the same attitude.[12]
The authority Christ displayed demonstrated His authenticity—if people don’t show much respect for God and His Word today, how much of that is due to a lack of authenticity in His people?
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[1]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 87.
[2]James A. Brooks, vol. 23, Mark, electronic e., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 58.
[3]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:112.
[4]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 88.
[5]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:112.
[6]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:113.
[7]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 94.
[8]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 94.
[9]James A. Brooks, vol. 23, Mark, electronic e., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 62.
[10]James A. Brooks, vol. 23, Mark, electronic e., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 63.
[11]William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 10, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Mark, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation., New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 97.
[12]James A. Brooks, vol. 23, Mark, electronic e., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991), 63.