When Jesus forgave a man who came looking for healing, He revealed our need and His authority. As we attempt to bring people to Jesus, we must seek to address their greatest need – their need for forgiveness.
Mark 2:1-2:12
2:1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 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? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 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!”
You Need This Kind of Friendship (Mark 2:1-5)
- We all need the kind of friendships that will get us to Jesus by any means necessary.
- Not only do we need the kind of friends who bring us to Jesus, we need to be the kind of friend who brings others to Jesus.
- We need people around us with the right type of faith and the right amount of willingness.
You Need This Kind of Forgiveness (Mark 2:5-8)
- Our greatest need is not the one that is always glaringly obvious.
- We need forgiveness for our sins more than relief from our circumstances.
- Jesus is able to go beyond what we ask in order to provide for us what we need.
You Need This Kind of Jesus (Mark 2:9-12)
- Jesus never indicated that this interruption to His sermon was ever outside of His plan.
- The reaction of the crowd and the response of Jesus clarified the speculation – Jesus claimed to be God.
- Jesus validated His authority to forgive by proving His ability to heal.
Have you ever received the forgiveness that Jesus is offering you?
Is there a friend you need to get to Jesus by whatever means necessary?
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.