October 13-19 | Week 6
Mark 2:1-2 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.
- What is the most crowded place you have ever been?
- Why do you think the crowds are gathered around Jesus?
Mark 2:3-5 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. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
- These four friends tore off a roof to get their friend to Jesus, and Jesus commended them for their faith. How might this story have ended differently if they had not been willing to go the lengths they did? Are there areas of your life where you have given up on asking for God’s help?
Mark 2:5 Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
- What is surprising about Jesus' response to the paralyzed man?
- In what ways do we make secondary things, ultimate things?
Mark 2:6-11 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?” 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— 11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”
Psalm 51:3-4 For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you—you alone—I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge.
- Why are these religious leaders so offended by Jesus?
- Why is God the only one who can forgive sin in an ultimate sense?
Daniel 7:13-14 I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. 14 He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.
Mark 2:10-11 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralytic— 11 “I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.”
- The title Son of Man is first introduced in this prophetic passage about the Messiah. What else does it tell us about the Messiah?
- How does Jesus use this title to claim authority?
Mark 2:12 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!”
- What different responses do we see between the leaders and the crowd? What are different ways that people respond to Jesus today?