Title: That You May Know
Text: Mark 2: 1-12
Scripture: John 5: 17-27
Date: February 2, 2012
Place: SGBC, New Jersey
Isaiah 35: 4-6: Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come….; he will come and save you….6: Then shall the lame man leap as an hart.
Our text is Mark 2: 1-12. It is the miracle of the Lord Jesus healing the paralyzed man let down through the roof of the house.
Proposition: This passage confirms that Jesus Christ the Son of man is God the Son, the Son of God—equal with God the Father, the second person in the trinity. Everything our Lord did here declares it.
Why is this so important? The work he performed for his people in our nature as our Representative and Substitute is eternally effectual—he has power to forgive sin because he is God. And everything the risen Son of man is doing now for his church in this earth he is doing by the same eternal power and Godhead. If a man does not believe on Christ he does not believe God.
I. WE SEE JESUS THE SON OF MAN IS GOD THE SON BY WHERE HE CAME AND WHAT HE DID--Mark 2: 1: And again he entered into Capernaum after some days;
He came to Capernaum in the first place to fulfill the scriptures which only the GodMan Mediator could do (Is 9: 2)
Matthew 4: 13: And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15: The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16: The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17: From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
In his return here we see also that he is God the Son—all knowing—because he came back here because he had at least five sheep in this place—this sick man along with his four friends--the Lord knoweth them that are his—knows where they are and he comes to them and shall bring them to himself—because he is God the Son—they were given him before the world began—he knows each one.—I know my sheep.
Because he is God the Son he had a hand in filling the house where he was---Mark 2: 1:…and it was noised that he was in the house. 2: And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door:
This is not just coming about by accident. Was it noised abroad without the all-powerful hand of God working in these people to spread the news? If not even a sparrow falls to the ground without God’s consent then we know this was not without the divine will of the Son of man who is God the Son. This is no accident. He is working all this together for his glory and the good of his sheep because the Son of man our Redeemer is God the Son. That is what he is declaring by all this.
Here too we see another example of the scriptures being fulfilled.
Genesis 49: 10: The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
His preaching the gospel is another fulfillment of the scriptures--2:…and he preached the word unto them.
Psalm 40: 9: I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
Christ publicly preached the gospel constantly while he walked this earth.
Matthew 9: 35: And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
John 18: 20: Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
II. WE SEE THE SON OF MAN IS GOD THE SON--THE GOMAN MEDIATOR—IN HIS DEALINGS WITH THE FOUR FRIENDS-Mark 2: 3: And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
The Lord had given this man and his friends faith to believe Christ the great Physician. How do we know?—He speaks of them having faith which is the gift of God and saving faith comes one place--v3: And they come unto him
John 6: 37: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out…44: No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
These four men had a friend in need of mercy. They believed the Lord Jesus Christ could heal him. So they took advantage of the means presented to them. They heard he was preaching the gospel in a certain house. They brought their paralyzed friend to the place where Christ was.
Many of you are like these four friends, you go to great lengths to use the means God has given you. You first give of yourselves to hear this gospel. And you bring your children, your family members, your friends. Faith in Christ produces diligence to use the means which God says pleases him.
We see he is God the Son in his trying of their faith. Faith is the gift of God and it is God who tries the faith he gives. I said to you that this gathering was not by accident but by the hand of our sovereign Lord. One reason was to try the faith of all of these men. What does God-given faith do?--Mark 2: 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.
The sinner who is given faith has an earnestness to get to Christ, to glorify Christ, to see Christ exalted and his children called out and healed. Someone said the cry of the flesh is “We cannot” but the cry of faith is “We must!” They overcame every obstacle—they were not discouraged, they did not turn back, or make excuses, they had a need and believed Christ to be the only cure. V5: When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Only God knows the heart—he saw their faith even more than just in their earnestness. We may not see God our Savior honor our faith as quickly or evidently as he did theirs but we can be sure he does—even if we see it not in our lifetime—1 Sam 2: 30:…the LORD saith, …them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed—here we find the LORD doing just that--when Jesus saw their faith
III. WE SEE CHRIST IS GOD THE SON IN HIS DEALING WITH THIS SICK MAN PERSONALLY--Mark 2: 5:…he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
The Lord had given this man this need—he was sick of the palsy but worse he was a sinner in need of forgiveness. How do we know it was the Lord that had given this man this need?
Exodus 4: 11: And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
Concerning the blind man, Christ said, he was in that condition:
John 9: 3:…that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Before any sinner will come to Christ we must know our need of him. This man was paralyzed. He could not work, much less work to try save himself. That is you and I—we are sick of a palsy called sin.
Brethren, if the Lord give us some thorn, some sickness, some great trial that the power and grace of God be manifest to us and in us—what a blessing! Whatever the affliction that puts the greater need of forgiveness on our heart then:
Psalm 119: 71: It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Also, note how the Lord Jesus addressed him, the Lord said, v5: “Son” –he was a son by divine adoption—this man was given the Spirit and “faith” to believe on Christ because he was a child of God as all God’s elect shall be given:
Galatians 4: 6: And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
John 1: 12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1 John 3: 1: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
And we see by the Lord calling this man “Son” that the Son of man is the Son of God. He knew this man as a son because this man was given him by the Father before the world began (the Savior is declaring the Son of man is God the Son throughout this passage.)
Then notice the Lord spoke before the man said a word—the man said nothing about what he needed--because our Savior is God the Son, who knows the heart, just as the Father knoweth what ye have need of before ye ask him so does God the Son.
Also, because the Son of man is God the Son our Savior knows what we need MOST. Notice he did not say, “Son, thy palsy be healed.” He said, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
Illustration: A loved one gets news of illness. Understandably we are shocked. We are immediately concerned. O, that we had that same concern for our loved ones concerning the fact they have a disease worse than any other. Sin is more paralyzing than physical paralysis. Physical sickness may lead to death, sin apart from Christ means death already.
But even if the Lord did nothing else for him—the needful thing had been done.
Psalm 32: 1: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
We could begin to number infirmities and tribulations of every kind. Many of us here could lay claim to at least one if not more. If he permitted you to come into great wealth—that might be an indication God has left you to yourself. If that great thorn be removed that would not be a sure indication of favor. If he restored health alone—you will eventually get sick and die. But if he whispers in our heart, “thy sins be forgiven thee” it can only mean one thing: eternal, unchangeable, divine grace. If our sins be forgiven, all is well.
Be sure to get the main point: The Son of man, Jesus Christ could only have power to forgive sin if he be the Son of God--“The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 john 1: 7)
IV. FOURTHLY WE SEE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS GOD THE SON IN HIS DEALINGS WITH THE REST OF THOSE STANDING BY---Mark 2: 6: But there were 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?
They were right, though they did not believe--none but God can forgive sins. Christ is God the Son. One of many ways we see in this passage that he is God the Son—he forgave sin. No angel can forgive sins. No mere man can absolve the guilty. No pope! No priest! No preacher! No church or denomination can pardon the guilty. Only the God-man could obtain the forgiveness of sins for us and grant forgiveness to us.
Because he is God the Son in human flesh he knew their thoughts as well: Mark 2: 6:…reasoning in their hearts:…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? Knowing the heart is attributed to the power of God--Jeremiah 17: 10: I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Then he declared the Son of man is God the Son by his next miracle--Mark 2: 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?
Both required the power which God only possesses. The presence and power of God the Son alone could give efficacy to either of these commands.
Mark 2: 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.
Isaiah said, Is 35: 4: “Behold, your God will come….; he will come and save you.” The first act in proof of Christ’s eternal power and Godhead was he saved this man from his sins. Isaiah prophesied, “Then shall the lame man leap as an hart”. The second thing by which Christ declared he is God in human flesh is he made the lame man leap like a heart.
Mark 2: 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.
Christ Jesus, the Son of man is God the Son. He alone has power to forgive sin.
· He is our only Priest
· Our only Offering/our Lamb
· Our only Mediator
· Our only Advocate
· Our only Way to the Father.
· Christ only met the holy demands of God’s law--perfection
· Christ only met the demands of divine justice—full satisfaction
· Only the blood of Christ can purge the guilty conscience and make us believe he is God the Savior.
He still has this authority
Acts 5: 31: Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Conclusion
1. To all--Christ Jesus has manifest he is the GodMan Mediator—he has sent the gospel to everyone here this hour. He has gathered you into this house.
2. To you who are like the four faithful good friends of this sick man—continue to get your sick friend before Christ. When your faith is tried, don’t be discouraged, keep giving all diligence—when he saw their faith…God honors the faith he gives.
3. To you whom the Lord is dealing with personally as he did this sick man—remember the Lord chastens them that are his as sons, to give us a need. Remember he knows what you need before you ask him. Remember forgiveness of sin is the greatest need—seek him to hear, “Thy sins be forgiven thee.”
4. To you who are merely standing by, reasoning evil in your hearts—this Sovereign God knows your heart too. Mr. Standby do you judge that God’s people are not a people of good cheer? Does that justify your own unbelief. Don’t judge us believers by outward appearance.
· We are poor, but our sin is forgiven us.
· We are weak, but our sin is forgiven us.
· We are full of infirmity and vexed by our sins, but our sin is forgiven us.
· We don’t have anything with which to impress, but our sin is forgiven us.
· We have some sick and in sorrow and some without jobs, but we have forgiveness of sin.
WE HAVE GOD WHO HAS TAKEN OUR NATURE, PUT AWAY OUR SIN AND MADE US ONE WITH HIS DIVINE NATURE.
Forgiveness of sins is only by Christ through faith in him. Go to Christ.
Believing Christ is believing God.
Amen!