THE PARALYTIC HEALED

Newsletter 233 February 18, 2011

Mark 2:1-14

CAPERNAUM

This chapter of Mark’s book is filled with things that Jesus did; not so much what he said. We can know what he was saying as that is covered in the other books. I personally find the healing of the paralytic man to stand out from many of the others. That is probably because it is so graphic in nature and I may have seen the ruins of the building where it took place. Very near the ancient synagogue in Capernaum there are also the ruins of a house, reported to have been that of Simon Peter. If Jesus was staying in a house there, where better could he be than in Peter’s house? Typically, it had a flat roof made up of large tiles supported by cross beams and sealed with plaster to make it water proof. That plaster could easily be broken and the tiles lifted. Access to the roof was common as it served s a quiet, and cool deck for evening use and even as a sleeping place during the heat of the Summer. I picture all of the apostles doing that after a long day with the Lord..

1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

On this occasion, as he was teaching in the house in a packed room, the friends of the paralytic found that they could not get into the room with their friend on his mat, so they went to the roof, broke through the plaster, and lifting the tiles, they lowered him down before the Lord. I have personally experienced such gatherings.

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. (Mark 1:45, Mark 2:13)

3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. (Mark 2:3-12, Matthew 9:2-8, Luke 5:18-26, Matthew 4:24)

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. (Luke 5:19, Matthew 4:24)

They were confident that, if they could reach Jesus, he would help them, and he did. But, note that he went beyond what they asked. Jesus used all his miracles to show his divinity, more than just for what was asked. Only God could forgive sins. He forgave the man’s sins first, then healed him.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. (Matthew 9:2)

Even in Galilee, there were those, here the scribes, who were seeking to destroy his message and deny his divinity. They did not even have to say anything, Jesus
Knew what was in their hearts just as he knows what is in our hearts today. Nothing is hidden from God. We are to be judged by what is in our hearsts as well as what is expressed and done.

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? (Isaiah 43:25)

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?

Four men brought him in, but he walked out on his own, cured. We can walk into a place of worship a sinner and walk out a saint through the power of Jesus Christ. In our hearts we repent of our sins, with our mouth we confess the divinity of our Lord, and we are freed of our sins through obedience to him in Christian baptism. We, with the Spirit, walk out a changed person. I have seen it happen time and times again.

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? (Matthew 4:24)

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. (Matthew 9:8, Matthew 9:33)

13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. (Mark 1:45)

14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. (Mark 2:14-17, Matthew 9:9-13, Luk2 5:27-32, Matthew 9:9, Matthew 8:22)

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RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
FEBRUARY

20th. Sunday – Exodus 23,24, Mark 5:1-20, Psalm 23
21st. Monday – Exodus 25, 26, Mark 5:21-43, Proverbs 5:15-23
22nd. Tuesday – Exodus 27, 28, Mark 6:1-29, Psalm 24
23rd. Wednesday-- Exodus 29, 30, Mark 6:30-56, Psalm 25:1-11
24th. Thursday -- Exodus 31, 32, Mark 7, Psalm 25:12-22
25th. Friday – Exodus 33, 34, Mark 8, Proverbs 6:1-11
26th. Saturday-- Exodus 35, 36, Mark 9:1-32, Psalm 26

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. ”

John 1:4

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See Spot Talk...
A guy is driving around and he sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog For Sale."

He rings the bell, and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes around the house and into the backyard and sees a handsome Labrador Retriever sitting there.

"You talk?" he asks.

"Yep," the Lab replies.

"So, what's your story?"

The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young, and I wanted to help the government; so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.

I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running. But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I wanted to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security work, mostly wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

"Ten dollars", says the owner.

The guy says, "This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?"

"Because he's a liar. He didn't do any of that stuff."
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PUBLICATION CLOSED FOR A BREAK FOR HEALTH REASONS. The evening of the 17th Bob lost all control over his right hand which just went limp and would not respond. A stroke was suspected, by all, including the hospital’s leading neurologist. The next two days were spent checking and double testing this, but Friday afternoon , after hours in the hospital’s huge MRI machine, it was decided it is not a stroke, but something else, and he was discharged and will go for outpatient cervical traction therapy. A damaged neck disk is suspected.

PUBLICATION WILL RESUME WHEN HE IS ABLE TO REGAIN THE USE OF HIS HAND.
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