You Have No Right....

As Americans and Texans, we tend to be very concerned and sometimes obsessed with our personal rights. In fact, we believe that there are certain boundaries that others must not cross to avoid infringing upon those rights; hence, when another individual crosses those boundaries, our response is that “you have no right to stop what we are doing!” In today’s passage from Mark 2:1-12, we will see a similar situation.  Specifically, we will see that Jesus is God and has all authority to forgive our sins and to heal our brokenness. However, we will also see that the scribes question Jesus' authority as God and, thus, His right to forgive and to heal.  To sumarize, this passage presents three calls from Jesus and His ministry: 1) Jesus and His ministry calls you to believe, 2) Jesus and his ministry calls out questions and opposition and 3) He calls you to have your sins forgiven and to have your brokenness healed.  

In chapter 1 of Mark's gospel, we learn that, due to Jesus' profound teaching and healing, His fame and popularity had become so widespread that He had to retreat to desolate places to find solace (Mark 1:43). In the very beginning of chapter 2, we find that Jesus had reentered the city and was preaching to a packed crowd inside of a house; in fact, it was so packed that there was no space even in the doorways (Mark 2:2). Because of this, four men seeking physical healing for their friend had to cut a hole in the roof and lower him down on a mat to gain Jesus' attention (Mark 2:4). Upon seeing this man on the mat in front of him and the faith of his four friends on the roof, Jesus states the following: “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). Then, after being questioned by the scribes concerning His claim to be God and  having the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:6-7), Jesus heals this same man physically (Mark 2:11). It is worth noting that, while Jesus met this man's need for physical healing,  He met the spiritual need (the forgiveness of sins) first. Let us never forget that Jesus' first and foremost concern is always our spiritual well-being. 

Now, just as Jesus’ profound power drew the masses and supernaturally touched individuals during His earthly ministry, it also draws people to Him today. So, what is drawing you to Jesus today? Are you seeking peace or healing? Are you engaging with Christians to criticize them for their faith?  Or, do you simply read a devotional and pray out of habit each day because you grew up doing so? Perhaps you realize that there is a void in your life that no other person, possession or hobby can fill.  Regardless of your reason for seeking, Jesus wants you to see and hear the same message He boldly proclaimed to those living in the first century: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Friend,  If you have not yet accepted Christ’s gospel message, will you answer God's call to believe and do so now?  Doing so will revolutionize your life!

Finally, for those who are already Christ followers, we must, like Jesus did, preach the Gospel of God to others; it is the foundation of the Church. Both the public and private proclamation of the Gospel is the life blood of Christian growth. Brothers and sisters of the faith, are you, as Christ commands in the Great Commission (Mark 16: 15-16), taking advantage of all opportunities to preach the Gospel of God to others?....

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