Mark - Lesson 3

Our previous study of Mark 1:21-45 examined Jesus’ actions that signified that the Kingdom of God was truly beginning to dawn upon history.  He demonstrated an amazing authority to those who heard Him proclaim God’s Word.  In casting out demons He showed that Satan’s kingship over peoples’ hearts must enCd before the Kingdom of Heaven can reign in its place.  The people were truly amazed by the things Jesus was doing, and multitudes of people were ministered to as He selflessly served them out of compassion.  Yet in all this, Jesus realized that the crowds were growing and He had become extremely popular and effective in that area, so what did He do?  He left!  He knew that to continue without getting back to His primary calling would only be a hindrance more than helping.  It was not yet time for Him to face the hour that His Father set long ago in which He would deal with the sin of humanity.  As we turn to this week’s study, consider that many feel that Mark 2:1–3:6 is one united account of examples of the increasing opposition Jesus faced to His attempts to minister to those people whom hypocritical religionists had rejected.[1]  Let’s turn to the lessons that this chapter teaches as we look at the love of Jesus, the legalism of the religious leaders, and Jesus’ ultimate lordship over the very things they accused Him of!

DAY ONE:  The Heart of our Need

Please carefully read Mark 2:1-5 and answer the following questions.

1.  We aren’t told specifically when these events took place, but what happened again when Jesus returned to the area (v. 1-2a)? 

2.  How did Jesus redirect the people to their most important need at the time (v. 2b)?

NOTE: The word preached is in an imperfect tense, emphasizing this was a continuous action.[2]

3.  Inside and outside this home was a crowd of people.  Archaeological digs in the area have revealed the average house to be no more than eighteen feet wide, so this home could only have held about fifty people at the most.[3]  On the scene came four men carrying a friend who had palsy or paralysis of some sort, wanting to have Him touched by Jesus.  Seeing the crowd, what did they decide to do (v. 3, 4)?

4.  What a sight that must have been!  As Jesus taught, suddenly the roof starts giving way, and before they knew it, here comes a man on a mat being lowered down in their midst!  They literally “unroofed the roof,” removing whatever tiling there was, and dug through the materials composing the rest of the roof of the house.  We can all but see Peter cramped in one corner yelling about his roof being destroyed, and the smile or even laugh of Jesus as this man is set down before Him!  What does verse 5 say about Jesus’ reaction to and then action toward this man and his friends?

5.  Jesus surely loved and honored these men for their step of faith.  Looking at this man, Jesus called him son, a term of endearment used regardless of the age of the person.[4]  Often we feel unworthy to bring our problems or needs before the Lord, as this man may have felt embarrassed at being the center of attention.  Yet Jesus reached out and touched not just his physical but also his eternal need.  What does Romans 8:15-17, 31-32 remind us about this when we feel unworthy of His work in our lives?

Scripture Memory:  This week we will be memorizing Mark 2:17.  Review the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely.

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” 

Mark 2:17, nkjv

Please carefully read Mark 2:6-12 and answer the following questions.

1.  This statement of Jesus didn’t sit well at all with the religious leaders; in fact this was shocking to them.  What were they thinking to themselves about this (v. 7)? 

2.  These religious leaders were in part correct in their accusation, for God alone can forgive sins, and if Jesus was a mere man, what He said could have been taken as blasphemy.  Of course, being the Son of God, He would have that power and authority, and indeed He read their very thoughts about this!  How did He interestingly answer these accusations (v. 8-10)?

3.  What did Jesus then say to this man, and what was the result (v. 11-12)?

4.  The impact of this incident was unquestionably tremendous.  The poor guy had to literally push his way through the stunned onlookers to go home!  Those in the crowd, including the religious leaders, were amazed (literally, out of their minds with shock) and had to praise and glorify God because of this supernatural display of Jesus’ power.[5]  This was but one demonstration of the fact that this Son of Man was indeed Son of God.