The Making of a disciple, part 3

The Making of a disciple Part 3

Mar 2:1-17  And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 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. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 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. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven. “Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,  "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 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? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the paralytic—"I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." 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!"  He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.   And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.   And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"  And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jesus the healer and forgiver of sins

Jesus fame continued to grow throughout the region of Galilee.  When he returned after visiting several towns, preaching the good news and healing the sick and casting out demons he was ready for a break.  Once the people heard he was back in Capernaum, they flocked to the house he was staying at.  Jesus did not send them away but began to teach them.  His teaching is interrupted by four men and a paralytic who wanted desperately to see Jesus.  The only access they had was through the roof.

We see in the four heroic men several things that are worth noting.

1.     Their love for the paralytic.  They made it possible for him to be in the presence of Jesus.  Love is an action word and these four men demonstrated their love by carrying him to Jesus.  When we love people we are willing to make sacrifices for them.

2.     Their determination to bring their friend to Jesus that caused them to tear the roof off of the home.  You have to wonder what the owner of the home was thinking when his roof started to fall apart.  Yet we do not read anything about the owner’s reaction due to the tremendous miracle that took place.

3.     The faith of the friends and the paralytic.  They knew that Jesus could heal the paralytic.  They would not have made all the effort to bring him to Jesus if they were not sure.  Tearing off the roof of a home that was not theirs could have been a risky move.  They were willing to suffer any consequence.  They only wanted the opportunity for their friend to be set free from his condition.

Jesus’ Surprise and Shocking Statement about himself

Jesus surprised the crowd and disturbed the scribes when he made the statement, “Son your sins are forgiven.”

No one was expecting him to say that.  They probably thought Jesus was going to command the man to walk.

For Jesus to make this statement was to equate himself with God.  He was making very clear his true identity as one equal to God. When the scribes questioned him and accused him of blasphemy he gave them a question.

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven, ‘or to say ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?

The response of Jesus reflects the Jewish view that forgiveness of sins must precede physical healing.  Whether or not this particular disease was the consequence of sin, Jesus went to the heart of the matter.  Sin and disease are effects of evil, and Jesus reveals God’s opposition to evil in any way it may manifest.  His goal is to bring complete wholeness to people.

Jesus proved his authority to forgive sins by healing the paralytic.  The scribes could not say anything.  He silenced them with his act of healing, something they could not do.

The people were amazed and glorified God.  They had never seen anything like this.

Jesus the Teacher

Jesus takes advantage of the opportunity to teach the people by going out in a boat while the people were on shore.  The acoustic effect of the water made it easier for his voice to be heard by the crowd.  It also gave him a barrier between himself and the people.

Jesus demonstrate his love for people by healing the paralytic but he also used this miracle to clarify his identity and why he came to earth.  Only through Jesus can we receive forgiveness of our sins.  John the Baptist declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.  The scribes and Pharisees did not receive Jesus as the Lamb of God.  They did not know his true identity and rejected him as their Messiah. 

What the disciples are learning about Jesus.

The disciples were taking all of this in and I am sure were trying to understand who Jesus was.  They have seen him as a miracle worker, a teacher who taught with authority and anointing, as one who had power of the demonic realm and now they learn that he can forgive sins.

Another radical move of Jesus

Jesus next act was to call Levi, a tax collector to follow him.  Tax collectors were not respected by the public.  They often took advantage of collecting extra money for their services. They were grouped with sinners and signify those people who by vocation or morality place themselves outside the society of Gods covenant people.  For Jesus to have fellowship with such people would bring Him into conflict with the Pharisees.

Jesus crossed over the Jewish boundary lines when he met with the sinners and tax collectors.  These people where not even to be taught the statutes of God, since their vocation and life-style made them ritually unclean.

What the disciples are learning

The disciples are now witnessing another aspect of the character of Jesus.  He was willing to interact with groups of people who were outcasts and held in contempt.  Jesus demonstrated his love for people who were not accepted by the Jewish authorities.  He saw in Levi potential to be one of his chosen disciples and took the time to be with him and invite him into his inner circle of 12.

We have to see the potential in people like Jesus did rather than focus on the problems they may have.  He was willing to risk his reputation among the religious people because he knew who he was and he was more concerned about his obedience to God that the praise of the religious leaders.  John Maxwell says that we must put a 10 on people’s foreheads instead of a 3 or lower.  We have to value people and believe that God can make changes in them as they come to know Christ and allow him to transform their lives.

Can you imagine what Levi felt like when Jesus called him to follow him.  He knew he was rejected by the people yet here was a man who wanted him to be one of his followers, his disciple.  Jesus knew how to bring out the best in others by believing in the potential of the person.

Doctor Jesus

The final thing the disciples learn about Jesus is that he likened himself to a doctor who came to help those who were in need.  He could not ignore the sinners who were publicly acknowledged as such just as a doctor cannot refuse to treat the sick.  He came to seek and to save those who were lost in their sins.

The disciples’ minds were being opened to a new reality of love and forgiveness.  Jesus was not in a ministry of condemnation but of healing people who were physically and spiritually sick.  He went out of his way to minister to people who were despised and rejected.  He honored people who had faith to believe in him. He spent time with people labeled as sinners and unclean.  He broke the rules of the Pharisees and scribes to show the people the heart of God.

Jesus is revealing himself to his disciples.  People must first believe in the leader before they will commit to follow him. As leaders of others we have to demonstrate our character through our conduct if we want people to believe in us and follow our leadership. The disciples were learning new principles through the teachings and actions of Jesus.  This was an intense time of learning for them and even though they did not understand everything that was happening, it was being planted in their minds and the Holy Spirit would bring these things to their remembrance in the days to come.