The Greatest Miracle
Mark 2:1-12
Jesus Forgives a
Paralytic (Mk. 2:1-12
• Capernaum
• Nazareth
The Greatest Miracle
(Mark 2:1-12)
And again He entered Capernaum after some days,
and it was heard that He was in the house.
Immediately many gathered together, so that there
was no longer room to receive them, not even near
the door. And He preached the word to them. Then
they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was
carried by four men. And when they could not come
near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the
roof where He was. So when they had broken
through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic
was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the
paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." And
some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning
in their hearts, "Why does this Man speak
blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but
God…
The Greatest Miracle
alone?" But immediately, when Jesus perceived
in His spirit that they reasoned thus within
themselves, He said to them, "Why do you
reason about these things in your hearts?
"Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your
sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up
your bed and walk'? "But that you may know
that the Son of Man has power on earth to
forgive sins" --He said to the paralytic, "I say to
you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your
house." Immediately he arose, took up the bed,
and went out in the presence of them all, so that
all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We
never saw anything like this!" (NKJV)
The Greatest Miracle
Mark 2:10–11 (NKJV)
10 But that you may know
that the Son of Man has power on
earth to forgive sins”—He said to
the paralytic, 11 “I say to you,
arise, take up your bed, and go to
your house.”
What the Miracle Proved:
“…Who can forgive sins but God
alone?” – Mk. 2:7
What the Miracle Proved:
• Jesus’ healing of the man
demonstrated at least 3 things:
• Jesus had the ability to heal the
man (obviously)…
• Jesus was God (because only
God can forgive sins)
• If Jesus was God He has all
authority
The Greatest Miracle
John 3:2 (NKJV)
…"Rabbi, we know that You are a
teacher come from God; for no
one can do these signs that You
do unless God is with him."
Mark’s Writings Prove
the Undeniable authority of Christ
Over sickness, infirmities (many sick healed - Mk. 1:32-34)
Over unclean spirits (cast out – Mk. 1:21-28)
Over Sabbath (Jesus Lord of – Mk. 2:23-28)
Over the life/death of others (Jesus raises little girl from dead
– Mk. 5:21-43)
• Over normal possibilities (Jesus feeds 5,000 – Mk. 6:30-44;
feeds 4,000 Mk. 8:1-10)
• Laws of Physics (Jesus walks on H20 – Mk. 6:45-52)
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Mark’s Writings Prove
the Undeniable authority of Christ
• Over & above traditions of men (Jesus corrected the
Pharisees who criticized disciples for not keeping the tradition
of the elders, washing their hands before eating – Mk. 7:1-23)
• Over the doctrines of men (beware of the teaching [leaven] of
the Pharisees – Mk. 8:13-21)
• Over the eternal destiny of all mankind & Day of Judgment
(Mk. 8:34-38; 13:24-27)
• Over the Jews (Jesus identified Himself as the King of the
Jews before Pilate – Mk. 15:2)
• Over death (raised from the grave - Mk. 16)
Mark’s Writings Prove
the Undeniable authority of Christ
And as a result…
• Over the forgiveness of sins (Jesus forgives the paralytic Mk.
2:1-12)
• Over all (seated at right hand of Father – Mk. 16:19)
…then we must submit to Him!
John 20:31 (NKJV)
31 but these are written that you
may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that
believing you may have life in His
name.
…then He is the head of the church!
Ephesians 5:23 (NKJV)
…Christ is head of the
church…the Savior of the body.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A Pope
A “Pastor”
Synods
Majority Rule
Board of Deacons
Councils
Elders
Or Anyone Else!!!
…then we must hear Him!
Deuteronomy 18:18–19 (NKJV)
18 I will raise up for them a Prophet
like you from among their brethren,
and will put My words in His mouth,
and He shall speak to them all that I
command Him. 19 And it shall be that
whoever will not hear My words,
which He speaks in My name, I will
require it of him.
…then we must obey Him!
John 12:48 (NKJV)
48 He who rejects Me, and does
not receive My words, has that
which judges him— the word that
I have spoken will judge him in
the last day.
…then all things must be done
by His authority & nothing else!
John 4:24 (NKJV)
24 God is Spirit, and
those who worship Him
must worship in spirit
and truth.”
• Our Parents (Mt. 10:21, 34-37)
• Our Conscience (Acts 23:1; 24:16;
26:9-11)
• The Majority (Mt. 7:13-14)
• Religious Leaders (2 Cor. 11:13-15;
2 Pet. 2:1-3)
• Tradition (Mt. 15:1-9; Col. 2:8, 1823)
• Personal Desire (Pr. 14:12; 16:25;
Jer. 10:23)
• Emotions & Feelings (Pr. 28:26; Jer.
17:9)
• Churches & Denominations (Acts
20:28-32; 1 Tim 4:1-3)
• The Good End (Rom. 3:8)
• Human Creeds (Mt. 15:7-9)
• Or Anything Else!!!
…then all things must be done
by His authority & nothing else!
John 16:13–14 (NKJV)
13 However, when He, the Spirit of
truth, has come, He will guide you
into all truth; for He will not speak on
His own authority, but whatever He
hears He will speak; and He will tell
you things to come. 14 He will glorify
Me, for He will take of what is Mine
and declare it to you.