23Dat e of My Bi bl e St u dy: _________

ForgivesJesus has the authority to forgive sins.

Session 2

MARK 2:1-12MEMORY VERSE: MARK 2:5

READ Mark 1:21–3:6, First Thoughts (p . 24), and Understand the Context (p . 24) . Consider the

perspective of the paralyzed man, the friends, the crowd, and the scribes . Ponder the responses to

Jesus’ actions and words .

STUDY Mark 2:1-12, using Explore the Text on pages 25–29 . Review the Holman Illustrated Bible

Dictionary to clarify the phrase “Son of Man,” determining how it relates to both the humanity and

deity of Christ . Complete the Bible Skill activity on page 24 (PSG, p . 22) .

PLAN the group time considering ways to welcome guests . Use the ideas under Lead Group Bible

Study (pp . 30–31), More Ideas (p . 32), ideas included in QuickSource, and those at Blog .LifeWay .

com/ExploretheBible/Adults/LeaderExtras . Prayerfully tailor the plans for the session to meet the

needs of your group .

GROW with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (LifeWay .com/GroupMinistry) .

GATHER the following items: Personal Study Guides; A Bible handbook, such as the Holman

Illustrated Bible Dictionary . Prepare to display: PACK ITEM 1 (Map: Places in Jesus’ Ministry) .

Make copies of: PACK ITEM 8 (Handout: Memory Verse Bookmark); PACK ITEM 11

(Handout: Controversy in Mark); and PACK ITEM 12 (Handout: The “Son of Man” in Mark) .

For More Ideas (p . 32), make copies of: PACK ITEM 10 (Handout: Miracles of Jesus in Mark) .

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FIRST THOUGHTSIn a world where complex arguments are summarized in brief social media posts, there is bound to be confusion and misunderstanding. Famous people fire off controversial messages that set the news cycles on fire. Then, after thinking it through, they take a step back. They distance themselves from their own words. During His earthly ministry, Jesus said a lot of things that ruffled a lot of feathers. But He never backed down from them—including His claim that He could do the unthinkable: forgive sins.

(In PSG, p. 19) What are some outrageous claims you heard someone make this week? Did that person have the authority to back up those claims? Why or why not?

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXTMARK 1:21–3:6

This lesson is about Jesus’ authority to forgive sins. Our core passage will make sense to us only if we understand that all sin, ultimately, is an offense against God. Thus, God alone has the final authority to forgive, even as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. Jesus forgave as only God can, so there’s an inevitable conclusion about Him. Before we get to that account, however, we will trace how Mark developed his account of Jesus’ public Galilean ministry.

Mark 1:1–3:6 focuses on Jesus’ authority. For example, He showed His authority by calling persons to follow Him (1:16-20). Mark further illustrated Jesus’ authority by reporting in some detail a typical action-packed day during Jesus’ ministry in Galilee (1:21-34).

Jesus then embarked on an extensive preaching tour throughout Galilee. Along the way He healed a leper (1:35-45). The result was immense popularity for Jesus; people were understandably excited about being healed of bodily diseases. It is in this setting that Mark related the account of Jesus’ healing and forgiving a paralyzed man (2:1-12).

After this incident, Mark reported other episodes that show Jesus’ authority. He called a tax collector to follow Him (2:13-17). He asserted His privileges as a “bridegroom,” rejecting the practice of fasting (2:18-22). He declared His authority as Lord of the Sabbath (2:23-28). He also showed that He was Lord of the Sabbath by healing a man on the Sabbath (3:1-6).

In this week’s study, we will investigate several connections. What is the relationship between sin and sickness? What is the relationship between Jesus’ authority to forgive and His identity as God’s Son? What response is expected of us as readers of this account?

KEY DOCTRINE

Jesus the SonChrist is the eternal Son of God (Luke 22:70).

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR

For additional context, read “House Construction in the First Century,” available digitally in the Spring 2019 Biblical Illustrator for Explore the Bible at LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator.

BIBLE SKILL

Use multiple Scripture passages to understand a major doctrine.

The question of the authority to forgive sins goes to the heart of Jesus’ identity and to the heart of salvation. Read the following passages and take note of what they teach about forgiveness: Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 2:13; 3:13; Hebrews 9:22; 1 John 1:9. How can you relate these passages to Mark 2:1-12?

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EXPLORE THE TEXTFAITH EXPRESSED (MARK 2:1-5)

VERSES 1-2

•Capernaum was the town on the lake where the brothers—Simon and Andrew, James and John—docked their boat. Jesus selected Capernaum instead of Nazareth, His hometown some twenty miles to the southwest, for His headquarters. (See also 9:33.) Luke 4:16-30 records how the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus, resulting in His choice of another town to live in when He was not traveling. The Gospels do not specify in whose house Jesus stayed when he was at home. The best guess is that He had been welcomed into the house of Simon and Andrew (1:29). At a later time, Jesus criticized the people of Capernaum for their lack of faith (Matt. 11:23-24). At this point in the early days of Jesus’ ministry, however, the people of Capernaum still welcomed Him, as verse 2 makes clear.

If the house was typical, it had no more than four rooms, possibly with a courtyard in the front. All or part of the roof was flat, made of thatch or tiles or clay-covered branches. (See the parallel account in Luke 5:19 for a reference to roof tiles.) There would have been an outside stairway to access the rooftop. It’s impossible to judge how many people crowded in. As many as fifty has been suggested. Perhaps another fifty were out in the courtyard listening through the door. There was no more room because the initial enthusiasm of the people of Capernaum for Jesus’ healing ministry had only grown as a result of His travels (1:33-34,45). As we will see, His popularity had attracted the attention of a fact-finding committee from Jerusalem.

The crowd may have been there that day mainly because they were looking for miraculous healings, but Jesus’ primary concern was to speak the word to them. It was more important for Jesus to communicate His message than to perform His miracles.

VERSES 3-4

The term translated paralytic is paralytikos in the original language. This term is no more specific than our English word paralytic; we have no idea why the man was unable to walk. He might have had a birth defect, or an accident, or a stroke, or any number of other health issues. In the first century, Jewish people generally and readily assumed a direct connection between disease and sin. (See John 9:2.) Certainly we understand that unhealthy or sinful habits or actions exert a toll on our bodies; for example, lung cancer is often caused by years of smoking. There is no indication, however, that the man brought to Jesus that day suffered physically because of sin in his life.

The determination of the man’s four friends to bring him to Jesus suggests that his condition was desperate. They went to the trouble to develop a plan to take him to the Healer. Verse 4 succinctly summarizes what happened over a considerable period of time. Several steps are implied. First, the four friends tried to wrangle themselves and their crippled friend through the crowd to the door. Was the crowd unsympathetic? Were the people so engrossed in listening to Jesus that they wouldn’t budge?

VERSES 1-2

1 When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them.

VERSES 3-4

3 They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

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Second, the friends had to come up with another plan. We have no idea how it was that they came up with the brilliant but risky plan to go up to the roof in order to gain access to Jesus.

Third, it must have taken a while to dig through the roof. We can only imagine what was happening underneath, with pieces of tile and other debris raining down on those crowded around Jesus. This was, however, not a difficult task for them. And if they had foreseen this possibility, they may have brought digging tools. Neither Mark nor the parallel accounts (Matt. 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26) address the question of whether the homeowner was angered by the deliberate destruction of his real estate.

Fourth, they finally succeeded. They lowered the mat. It must have been stunning to be in the crowd, watching the hole in the roof grow. Then they watched as a man was lowered, ever so carefully so that he did not tip out, into the presence of Jesus.

By permitting his friends to take him to Jesus, he was admitting his need.

VERSE 5

Whose faith did Jesus recognize? Their faith at the least includes the four friends, because their belief that Jesus could heal had spurred them into action. Yet some Bible students have made the case that the paralyzed man also believed. He had to agree to be carried, and it took courage for him to allow himself to be hauled through the streets, jostled up the stairs, and then lowered, perhaps precariously, down through the roof to Jesus. By permitting his friends to take him to Jesus, he was admitting his need.

Jesus referred to him as son (or “child”), a kind term that says nothing about his chronological age. Our Lord extended to him what he needed the most: forgiveness of his sins. Although the Gospel of Mark records many miraculous healings, this is the only instance in which forgiveness of sins is noted. This does not mean that Mark thought forgiveness was less important than healing; rather, we should see this as Mark’s well-chosen illustration that Jesus’ authority to forgive and to heal are equal. Mark was affirming Jesus’ identity as the Son of God (1:1), who—like His Father—forgives and heals.

How much does it still matter that those to whom Jesus offer forgiveness must approach Him? What role can friends play in seeing to it that someone is brought into contact with Jesus?

VERSE 5

5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

© 2019 LifeWay

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AUTHORITY QUESTIONED (MARK 2:6-7)

VERSES 6-7

Here we are introduced to a segment of the crowd that Mark had not mentioned before. The scribes were teachers of Old Testament law, experts in biblical interpretation. These were not local synagogue officials but rather had been sent from Jerusalem. (See the parallel in Luke 5:17.) At once they recognized the dangerous significance of Jesus’ words.

By claiming He had the final authority to forgive sins, Jesus was claiming to be equal with God. Sin is always and chiefly an offense against God; therefore, only He can finally and completely forgive sins (Ps. 51:4). Thus, they were questioning in their hearts how Jesus could make such a claim.

The internal consternation of these scribes led to their murmuring to each other (Matt. 9:3). They expressed outrage at what Jesus had said. In their theology, not even the Messiah would forgive sins. The only one who can forgive sins in the ultimate sense—as Jesus had just claimed to do—is God alone. This was a correct deduction, but they refused to accept the implication that Jesus had such authority. They could not accept this possibility, so the only alternative was that he was blaspheming. Blasphemy is irreverent or profane speech about God, and the penalty for blasphemy in the Old Testament was death (Lev. 24:16). This same charge was to be made against Jesus at His trial, and then they did condemn Him legally as guilty of a capital offense (Mark 14:64).

POWER PROCLAIMED (MARK 2:8-11)

VERSES 8-10

It’s unclear whether Mark meant that Jesus exercised supernatural knowledge when he perceived in his spirit what the scribes were thinking. It’s possible that Jesus shrewdly surmised their thoughts because of their whispering together, or the Holy Spirit revealed to Him what they were thinking (compare to Acts 5:3), or Jesus was exercising His divine prerogative.

Jesus’ question was meant to let these religious experts know that He was onto them and that He was going to push back. As He sometimes did, He engaged in dialog by asking questions that required people to rethink their assumptions. He did not answer directly the charge that He was blaspheming or claiming the authority of God to forgive.

Jesus’ question set up a conundrum for the scribes. On one hand, it was equally easy to say either your sins are forgiven or get up … and walk. On the other hand, forgiveness could not be verified by anything external; healing obviously would be visible. When all is said and done, granting spiritual forgiveness and granting physical healing are equally impossible for mere humans, but they are equally easy as the work of God.

The you whom Jesus addressed in verse 10 was first the scribes who had questioned Him, but He meant the crowd to hear Him as well. Further, Mark’s readers, then and now, are included. We are meant to evaluate and accept—to know as true—the claim Jesus was making. Here for the first time in Mark, Jesus referred to Himself by His favorite

VERSES 6-7

6 But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts: 7 “Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? ”

VERSES 8-10

8 Right away Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat, and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — he told the paralytic —

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designation for Himself, the Son of Man. Although it may not have been clear at the moment, Son of Man as a title emphasized both His deity as the one prophesied in the Scriptures as well as His identification with humanity.

The term translated authority means “rightful use of power,” such as the right of rulers to do what they wish and to expect obedience, or the right of a police officer to arrest someone who has broken the law. In biblical teaching, all authority derives from God as the ruler of all things. His authority is inherent; He grants authority to human rulers. Jesus’ claim to authority boldly asserted that He had inherent authority as God, as well as being granted authority from His Father on earth. By this authority, He acted to forgive sins as well as to heal bodies and defeat evil spirits.

Jesus left unfinished His challenge to the scribes; rather He turned and spoke directly to the man lying there. What He would say, and what happened immediately, actually proved the point that He wanted His opponents to realize.

The symbol of his disease was to become the symbol of his healing.

VERSE 11

So far, the paralytic had been a spectator to a theological debate. We have to wonder whether he might have been feeling left out. He apparently hadn’t even been given an opportunity to ask Jesus to heal him, even though Jesus had spoken to him about forgiveness for his sins. We can also wonder what the four friends were going through: were all of their efforts going to be ignored? How much could they even hear from the rooftop perch? Jesus issued the man three brief orders.

• Get up. We have no idea how long it had been since the man been unable to walk. Jesus was asking him to do the seemingly impossible.

• Take your mat. This would be the demonstration that the man had been healed. The symbol of his disease was to become the symbol of his healing.

• Go home. The man had a home where he had been an invalid. The friends had found him there. Now he faced the hope for a normal life.

To what extent do these verses demonstrate the deity of Jesus? How persuaded are you that Jesus—then and now—has the authority equally to forgive sins and to bring bodily healing?

VERSE 11

11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”

© 2019 LifeWay

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AUTHORITY DEMONSTRATED (MARK 2:12)

VERSE 12

As noted in last week’s lesson, Mark often used the word immediately to indicate a quick succession of events. In this case, the man did exactly as Jesus had told him to do. He got up and took the mat, proving that his paralysis had been healed. Although the crowd had not parted to allow him in, we can only imagine that a way quickly opened up so that the man could leave. Presumably, the man went home as Jesus had told him. Mark, in his usual way of not giving details that were not pertinent to his point of view, did not record any exchange between Jesus and the healed man, nor did he give any information about how the man processed the relationship between the forgiveness of his sins and the healing of his body. Presumably, he rejoiced over both marvelous things which had happened to him.

What Mark was interested in was reporting the response of the crowd to what they had witnessed.

• They were all astounded. The emotional response of the people was just what would be expected of persons who had just witnessed a divine miracle. The crowd was glad for the man, of course. Whether the scribes’ astonishment was that of joy or consternation, Mark did not tell.

• They gave glory to God. Here is the proper spiritual response when God’s presence and power has been demonstrated. To glorify God is to praise Him for His greatness and goodness. Worship is always the right response when God has revealed Himself.

• “We have never seen anything like this!” They had never seen a paralyzed man immediately and fully healed before. (Interestingly, Simon Peter would be the agent involved in a similar healing in the early days of the church [see Acts 3:1-10]. Awe and praise to God followed on that occasion as well.) Further, the people had never seen such a demonstration of forgiveness of sins expressed before. They knew they were witnessing something extraordinary. This was none other than the breaking in of the kingdom of God that Jesus was proclaiming.

When has Jesus’ power to forgive or to heal moved you to awe? How has His work in forgiving or healing caused you to worship Him?

VERSE 12

12 Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this! ”

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LEAD GROUP BIBLE STUDY

FOCUS ATTENTION (FIRST THOUGHTS)

INTRODUCE: As people arrive, give a query by calling for a thumbs up or thumbs down for individual responses to these questions: Has a message you’ve sent ever been misunderstood or have you later regretted your words? Have you had to apologize for words shared in haste?

SHARE: With today’s social media tools, it’s easy to respond quickly to messages, but our speed of response may keep us from considering carefully our words. The limitation of the number of characters we can post might send a message we didn’t intend. Our responses can make people wonder what gave us the right to say what we said.

TRANSITION: Jesus never backed down on His words even if they led to controversy. What some considered outrageous He knew as true. Today we continue our study of Mark and begin to see the questioning of Jesus’ authority.

EXPLORE THE TEXT

EXPLAIN: Utilizing Understand the Context (PSG, p. 24) and Pack Item 1 (Map: Places in Jesus’ Ministry), establish the context for today’s focal passage (Mark 2:1-12). Reinforce that Jesus’ authority was demonstrated through His teaching, calling of disciples, exorcising of demons, and healing.

READ: Invite a volunteer to read Mark 2:1-5, directing the group to picture in their minds the scenario described.

ASK: What draws people to at least consider what Jesus teaches?

GUIDE: Divide the group into three teams, assigning each team characters revealed in the verses: Crowd, Friends, and Paralyzed Man. Direct each team to consider the verses from the perspective of their assigned character. After allowing time, reassemble the group and invite volunteers to share the varying reactions; reread the verses.

STUDY: Verse 5 introduces controversy as Jesus called the paralytic man “son,” and told him that his sins were forgiven. Distribute copies of Pack Item 11 (Handout: Controversy in Mark) and review the controversy stories Jesus’ actions initiated. Discuss what’s surprising about this to the group.

SAY: In verse 5 Mark connected faith and forgiveness. Point out this is today’s memory verse, and give copies of Pack Item 8 (Handout: Memory Verse Bookmark) to those who need one.

ASK: How might a person show faith in a tangible way today? (PSG, p. 23)

WRITE: Record the first subheading of the session, “Faith Expressed,” on a board (or chart).

READ: Direct someone to read aloud Mark 2:6-7, as the group listens for the reaction of the scribes in the crowd.

STATE: Jesus saw the spiritual need as more important than the physical need of the paralytic, and He challenged the status quo with His words about the forgiveness of sins.

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RECORD: Write the second subhead of the session, “Authority Questioned,” on the board.

DISCUSS: How were the scribes right and wrong at the same time? What are some things about Jesus that challenge our ability to understand? (PSG, p. 24)

READ: Invite a volunteer to read Mark 2:8-11 as the group listens for Jesus’ response to the thinking of the scribes.

RECORD: Write the third subhead of the session, “Power Proclaimed” on the board.

STATE: “The scribes were likely using the law as a type of litmus test to evaluate Jesus’ teaching. Jesus presented them with a different kind of litmus test—a test of authority.” (PSG, p. 25)

READ: Reread aloud verses 10-11, and note that this is the first time Jesus referred to Himself as the “Son of Man.” Share that this is the first of fourteen times this title is used in Mark to emphasize both the humanity and deity of Jesus. Point to Pack Item 12 (Handout: The “Son of Man” in Mark) for the fourteen references. Encourage the group to read these throughout the week and reflect on the significance of the term “Son of Man.”

ASK: How does accepting the teaching that Jesus is God affect other beliefs a person may hold? (PSG, p. 25)

READ: Invite a volunteer to read Mark 2:12, as the group listens for the response to Jesus’ healing of the paralytic.

INQUIRE: Call for the group’s initial responses from their personal study to the questions on PSG page 26.

CONNECT: Direct the group to complete the following sentence: Forgiveness of sin can only be granted by _____. Then record the fourth subhead of the session, “Authority Demonstrated,” on the board.

TRANSITION: This was only the beginning of the questioning of Jesus’ authority by religious leaders of His time, and continuing today we see people questioning Jesus’ authority.

SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE (IN MY CONTEXT)

REFLECT: Jesus continues to offer forgiveness to all who approach Him. How does this statement affect your life? From the PSG (p. 27): In what areas should you seek forgiveness to clear the way for God to work in and through you?

STATE: At the beginning of the session we discussed the importance of a clear message. What message are others seeing and hearing from us in relation to the authority of Jesus to forgive sins?

DIRECT: Guide the group to turn to a neighbor and discuss the first question set from In My Context (PSG, p. 27): Who is someone you and your group can help find Jesus? What are some practical ways you can work together to be Jesus’ hands and feet on behalf of that person?

PRAY: Lead the group to pray silently for the individuals on their hearts and to confess areas where they need God’s forgiveness.

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PRACTICE• As the group leader, examine your own life and consider if there’s any sin that needs

to be confessed.

• Contact anyone absent from the last session, making sure that they have a PSG and are aware that the study of Mark will continue next week with Mark 3:23-35.

• Text or e-mail individuals in the group who you know are struggling with difficult life situations to encourage them and let them know that you’re praying for them.

MORE IDEASFOCUS ATTENTION (FIRST THOUGHTS)

As another option for focusing attention with the group, brainstorm a list of people with authority over others, such as parents, teachers, police officers, and pastors. Then ask: What are some outrageous claims you heard someone make this week? Did that person have the authority to back up those claims? Why or why not? (PSG, p. 19)

EXPLORE THE TEXT

• To supplement the study of Mark 2:1-5, use Pack Item 10 (Handout: Miracles of Jesus in Mark) to show the four miracles Jesus had already performed in the Gospel of Mark to display His power. Point out that this handout will be used as a reference throughout this study.

• To enhance the study of Mark 2:6-7, complete the Bible Skill activity (PSG, p. 22) that calls for the examination of additional Scriptures that help clarify why the question of authority to forgive sins is central in understanding Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah.

• Enhance the understanding of the phrase “Son of Man” by utilizing the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary or another Bible handbook to provide additional information.

SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE (IN MY CONTEXT)

Reconsider the response of the paralyzed man, the crowd, and the scribes. As a group, compose a headline and summary of the session that might appear on the front page of a newspaper. Ask: If the article appeared today, how would people respond? How would you respond? Lead each person to turn to a neighbor and share one truth they gained from this session, and how they plan to put that truth into action in the following week.

SUGGESTED MUSIC IDEA

Read the lyrics to “Forgiven,” by Mark Blankenship and Buryl Red, or “Reckless Love,” by Cory Asbury, Caleb Culver, and Ran Jackson, while the group reflects on the depth of the song. Invite the group to sing the song or read it together chorally as a prayer.

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