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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
September 8, 2013
Following the Man That Can Forgive Sin
Matthew 8:2-4; 9:1-8; Mark 1:40- 2:12-45 Luke 5:1-26
Introduction
We have already seen many wonderful attributes, characteristics, and abilities of Jesus Christ in our study of His life so far. John 1 causes us to stand in awe that the eternal Word, the one face to face with God the Father, became flesh and dwelt among us (See: The Incarnation). We are in wonder at the fulfilled prophecies recorded in Matthew 1 & 2. The greater son of David promised in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 was born of a virgin in Bethlehem, the city of David, as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2 (See: The Birth of The Messiah). In Luke 3:41-52 we see Jesus’ character blossoming while still a child of twelve by His commitment to be in the Temple, His Father’s house (See: Jesus’ Childhood). Jesus began His public life when He was about 30 years old by being baptized by John in order to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15)(See: The Baptism of Jesus). He then goes out to the wilderness for 40 days where He defeated the devil’s repeated efforts to tempt Him because He knew and obeyed the commands of the Scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11)(See: The Temptation of Jesus). Jesus’ public ministry then begins with John’s declaration that Jesus is the “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world,” and Jesus gains His first disciples in Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael and an unnamed man, probably John (John 1:19-51) (See: The Witness of John and Jesus’ First Disciples)). They all go to a wedding in Cana of Galilee where Jesus performs His first recorded miracle of turning water into wine (John 2:1-12)(See: The Wedding at Cana). When they go back to Jerusalem for Passover, Jesus’ zeal for His Father’s house is demonstrated by His cleansing it of the moneychangers and merchants who had turned the Court of the Gentiles in the Temple into a bazaar (John 2:13-22) (See: Zeal for the Lord). Jesus began to publically teach and perform signs while in Jerusalem which then prompted Nicodemus, a Pharisee, to come to Him one night to find out how to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-21) (See: Born Again and The Love of God). Jesus continued to teach in lower Jordan valley with His disciples baptizing those that repented in anticipation of the coming of the kingdom Heaven (John 4:6). On His way back to Galilee that Fall, Jesus showed compassion on the Samaritans by revealing Himself and teaching them for two days (John 4:7-45)(See: Witnessing to Strangers and Seeing Beyond the Physical) .
We have now been concentrating on Jesus’ ministry in the region of Galilee, which in itself is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2. While in Cana again, Jesus performed His second recorded miracle of healing a boy who was deathly ill by simple declaring it though the boy was 16 miles away (John 4:46-54). After moving to Capernaum, Jesus became busy teaching and performing signs throughout the region. In some places He was accepted while in others, such as Nazareth, He was rejected (Luke 4:14-30)(See: Miracles and Rejection). In our last study of Luke 4:31-44 we saw that Jesus was now also casting out demons by command and healing “any sick with various diseases.” (See: Teaching & Miracles)
All of these things are marvelous beyond description. If we had lived in that place at that time we would have joined all those wondering what manner of man this must be and if Jesus could be the Messiah. Yet there was another ability Jesus possessed that was even more wonderful and important to us. Jesus’ many miracles demonstrated that Jesus is indeed God in human flesh and therefore His claim to have authority to forgive sins is true. That is the focus of our study today.
Second Call of the Fisherman – Luke 5:1-11
We pick up the story in Luke 5:1. At this time Jesus was busy preaching in the synagogues throughout the region as well as healing people of “every kind of disease and every kind of sickness” which included casting out demons (Matthew 4:23-25).
Luke 5:1-3 (NASB95) 1 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; 2 and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. 3 And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat.
By this time Jesus was teaching wherever opportunities arose and not just in the synagogues. In this passage we find that Jesus is teaching by the shore of the lake of Gennesaret, also known as the Sea of Galilee. As He is teaching, the crowd is growing, and as it grows the sound of Jesus’ voice is being absorbed into people and it becomes harder to hear. Since everyone wants to hear, they begin to press against one another and forward. Jesus notices a simple solution to the problem and takes advantage of it. Two fishing boats are nearby at the edge of the lake with the fisherman next to them cleaning their nets. Jesus gets into the one that is owned by His disciples Simon Peter and Andrew and has him put out a short distance. This allows Jesus to speak to a larger crowd clearly because His voice will carry well over the water to the crowd which can now spread out along the shore.
What happens after Jesus is finished teaching is another miracle, but of a different kind. Luke 5:4-7, 4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; 7 so th
ey signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.
Simon Peter and Andrew are professional fisherman. When Jesus tells him to go to deeper water and put out his nets again for a catch, he gives a mild protest. They had worked hard all night and were unsuccessful. Simon agreed to do as Jesus asked, but he did not expect to catch anything. What did Jesus know about fishing? He was a carpenter and now a Rabbi.
As Peter and Andrew began to bring the net back in there was a sudden crises. The nets were so full they were starting to break, so they gestured to their partners, James and John, to come help. There were so many fish that they filled up both boats with them to the point they were beginning to sink. At this point, Simon Peter understood what was happening. Luke 5:8-11 states, 8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.
No, Jesus was not a professional fisherman, but as Lord of the universe, He knew all things including when and where to catch the fish in an abundance beyond the imaginations of these fishermen. This was the first time they had ever seen a catch so large that it put the boats in danger of sinking. Though Peter had seen Jesus do many miracles of healing and casting out demons in the months he had spent with Him, this amazing catch reminded Peter of the Lord’s true identity and his own sinfulness.
I think that there are times something similar can happen to anyone that has been a Christian a length of time. The multiple blessings God brings into your life become ordinary and you then take the Lord for granted. You are not as mindful of His true identity as Creator and Lord of the universe as you should be and so the reverence and awe He deserves diminishes. While Jesus is the best friend you can ever have, He is not your “buddy.” Your relationship with Him is totally dependent on the fact that your Creator took on human flesh in order to save you from your sins – past, present and future. A reminder of His true identity is a reminder of your sinfulness and should make you humble and grateful before Him.
When Simon Peter recognized once again Jesus’ deity, he was ashamed of himself and felt totally unworthy to be in Jesus’ presence. That is the right attitude, for that is when Jesus’ grace abounds to forgive, accept and use us in ways we could not have imagined. Jesus put Peter as ease. There was no need for him to fear. Jesus then called him along with Andrew, James and John to a permanent ministry of catching men instead of fish. When they got the two boats to shore, they left them and the catch and followed Jesus.
Some people confuse this story with the similar one in Matthew 4:18-22 which we examined a few weeks ago. The differences between the two accounts such as Jesus walking along the shore instead of preaching to a crowd, Peter and Andrew fishing from shore using a round net called an ajmfibavllw / amphiball instead of fishing from a boat with a different type of net called a divktuon / dikturon, and the two sets of brothers working together instead of being separated by a substantial distance make it clear these are two different occasions.
Why two calls and why were they fishing again after the first call? For the same reason they had returned to fishing after being with Jesus for many months in Judea. It was the business for both families and when they returned home they took up those responsibilities in helping their families. To this point they were not following Jesus “full time.” They all lived in the same community and so would have met with Jesus on a regular basis and also traveled with Him to some of the places He went to teach, but they were also helping out in the family fishing businesses too. After this, the fishing business would be set aside. Earlier, Jesus had said He would make them fishers of men. Now their focus would be on catching men. The fishing business would be taken care of by other relatives and servants. That is who would have done something with the large catch of fish they just walked away from to follow Jesus.
Both of these calls are important in understanding how the Lord wants you to serve him. While relatively few people are called to follow Jesus full time as a career as were these four disciples after the second call, every Christian is called to follow Jesus full time as a way of life as they were from the very first call. You may earn your bread in any vocation, but the focus of life for a Christian is to serve the Lord however He deems best. You are to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” and trust Him for the outcome. Too many professing Christians are unwilling to leave the things of this world even for a short period in order to learn and serve the Lord. Jesus cannot teach you to be a fisher of men if you refuse to leave your nets, nor can He call you to any greater service until you are willing to follow Him.
Cleansing the Leper – Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16
Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the next event in Jesus’ ministry. The exact location in the region of Galilee is not mentioned by any of them, but it appears to be some place other than Capernaum. This next healing was designed not only to be a sign miracle, but specifically a sign that should get the attention of the priests. Following Luke’s account we read: (Luke 5:12-16) 12 While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13 And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.
The first thing we note is this man who comes out to Jesus is covered with or full of leprosy. Every place you looked on him was the evidence of having a dreadful skin disease. The word leprosy (leprovV / lepros) could be used to describe many diseases that left the skin scaling, scabby and often oozing and not just what we now know as Hansen’s disease. Those with leprosy would often develop gross deformities and look hideous.
The Mosaic law had many regulations concerning those that had such skin diseases including that a leper had to live away from everyone else (Numbers 5:2, 3). Leviticus 13:45 required that when they walked somewhere they had to wear torn clothes, cover their head and mouth and cry, “unclean, unclean.” This prevented both the spread of an infectious disease and contamination by someone who was ceremonially unclean. Anyone who was unclean could not participate in the religious activities of the community which were a central part of life, and anything a leper touched became unclean. The fear produced by the ugliness of the disease and being made unclean produced a strong reaction in people. They would often throw rocks at lepers who came too close, so most lepers stayed at a distance (i.e. Luke 17:12). It was a very bold move on the part of this leper to approach Jesus.
Modern medicine is usually successful in treating skin diseases including Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria which causes Hansen’s disease. You rarely hear about it in the western world, though it is still a problem in third world countries and still kills people. David learned recently that a man with leprosy he met in Africa last time he was there h
as since died. In the ancient world it was considered incurable as in the case of 2 Kings 5 when the King or Aram sent his servant Naaman to the King of Israel saying, “. . . behold, I have sent my servant Naaman to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” The King of Israel responded, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man is sending to me to cure a man of his leprosy?” It was considered only something that God could cure. In this case, God did cure the leper Naaman through Elisha the prophet.
Since some skin diseases that look like leprosy can clear up, Leviticus 13 & 14 give instructions to the priests about how to determine if there is leprosy and the person is unclean and when the skin disease has cleared up and the person is clean again.
This man covered with leprosy boldly comes to Jesus and then humbly bows down to Him. This bowing is both a sign of respect and can also be part of worship. He then makes his request to Jesus saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean,” or more literally, “you have power to cleanse me.” The grammar here indicates that the man had no doubt that Jesus could cure him from his leprosy. That is quite a statement of faith on his part since, as already mentioned, the only known case of a leper being healed was Naaman the Aramean at the time of Elisha. The leper did not doubt Jesus’ power to heal, he just did not know if Jesus would be willing, and so he humbly requests it of Jesus.
That is the example for all who come to Jesus to follow. You do not come to Him demanding. You do not even come believing that He will. You come with faith that He is able and then humbly request that He will according to His will, not your own, even as this leper did.
Jesus’ answer is thrilling. Jesus does not just say “Okay,” and zap him from a distance. Jesus reached out His hand and touched Him saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Do you get the picture? The man of righteousness reaches out to touch a person who was the epitome of being unclean. The word for touch here is not touch like a tap on the shoulder, but a touch as in a firm grip. The word (aJvptw / hapt ) means “to lay hold of, to adhere to.” It is also in the middle tense suggesting that as Jesus reached out to this leper, the leper responded by reaching out to Jesus. And the text says that “immediately the leprosy left him.” It was gone. Matthew 8:3 uses a different word and says, “immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” The leprosy was gone, so he was also now clean.
The compassion of Jesus reached out and touched the untouchable and cleansed the unclean. Jesus said He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to save sinful people. Salvation is offered to all who will seek it. The unclean can be made clean.
After cleansing him from the leprosy, Jesus gave him additional instructions. Luke 5:14, 14 And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
There are two main reasons for these instructions. First, to demonstrate that He came to fulfill the law, not break it. The man needed to follow the Mosaic Law and be seen by the priests and be declared clean by them. Second, this man was to be a living testimony to the priests that something significant had happened. There had previously been only one other healing of such leprosy in history (not including Moses – Exodus 4:6-7, and Miriam – Numbers 12:10-15). Jesus wanted positive testimony presented to the priests before large scale public ministry in Judea would raise the jealousy of the religious leaders.
The man did not follow all the directions. Mark 1:45 states, 45 But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere. Luke 4:15-16 summarizes this and records Jesus’ response. 15 But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. Even more people came to see Jesus, and in compassion He continued to teach them and heal them, but He also knew the importance of being alone with His Father to pray and so would slip away into the wilderness.
Forgiving Sin – Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26
All three synoptic gospels also record the next demonstration of Jesus’ identity as God in human flesh, except in this one the healing is used as evidence of Jesus’ declaration that He can forgive sin.
Following the account in Luke 5:17-16 we read, 17 One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. Matthew and Mark record that Jesus had returned from across the lake to Capernaum, “His own city, “ and that several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. Mark 2:2 adds that And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. The setting then is that Jesus is in His own home in Capernaum where a very large crowd from around the area and beyond has gathered to hear him teach. As is often noted, when Jesus is teaching, He was also healing people. Within the crowd are Pharisees and teachers of the law.
Luke 5:18-19, 18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. 19 But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.
Mark 2:3 notes that it was four men that were helping this paralytic. We do not know if they were relatives or just friends. We also do not know if the paralyzed man was young or old. We know that he could not help himself and had to rely on others. These men want to take the paralytic man into the house and lay him before Jesus, but it is too crowded and they cannot get in. The men then decided to go up to the roof, make a hole and lower the man through it. Now this is not as strange as it sounds at first. The roofs of the houses were commonly flat with parapets at the edges and used as part of the living area especially in the warm afternoon where you could cool off in the afternoon breeze by being up there. Access was gained by a ladder or stairs that were often on the outside of the building. So the men are not in some precarious spot where they were likely to fall off. The roofs were made of a lattice work covered over with tiles, and then a layer of mud would be placed on top which would make it waterproof. That is why Mark records that the men “dug an opening” and Luke records that they “lowered him down through the tiles.”
There is nothing to indicate a wanton destruction of property, but instead it shows that the men were serious about making sure that the paralyzed man would get to see Jesus. If that meant putting a hole in the roof, then they were willing to do it. They would deal with fixing the hole later. Of primary importance to them at the moment was getting their friend before Jesus, so these seekers made a hole and lowered him down in front of Jesus.
Jesus’ response to this was surprising to everyone. Luke 5:20, 20 Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Jesus does not get upset about the hole in His roof. Instead, He is paying attention to the faith of these men to make sure their friend is ab
le to come before Jesus. But Jesus does not heal the man at that time. Instead, Jesus tells him that his sins are forgiven. That is not what is expected, yet it is a crucial statement.
Jesus was very aware the Scribes and Pharisees were present and He knew what was in their hearts and were thinking about this disabled man. Jesus uses this opportunity to demonstrate His authority to forgive sin, which is the real solution to man’s problem. Handicapped people have always suffered social stigma and neglect, but in the Jewish culture of that time this was compounded by the belief of most Jews that all disease and affliction was the direct result of somebody’s sin. People then tended to want to figure out who sinned and was to blame for such maladies. That was the point of the disciples question to Jesus in John 9 about the man born blind, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” Job had suffered greatly, but his affliction was compounded by his supposed friends who added to his grief by saying things like, “whoever perished being innocent?” The thought was that you get just what you deserve, and if you are severely afflicted, it must be because you have severely sinned.
In many cases that adage is true, because as it says in Galatians 6:7- 8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.” God’s wrath is demonstrated against all ungodliness (Romans 1:18), and part of that is a person receiving the natural consequences of their sin. Sexually transmitted diseases are a good illustration of this. God has set the standard of a monogamous relationship between a man and woman. When that standard is not followed, whether it is in promiscuity or serial monogamy, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, or other sexual perversion, there are a lot of diseases that follow. Certain diseases go with certain behaviors. There can be direct sinful cause and effect relationships. People also suffer because of the sins of others. Someone who is drunk or high on drugs drives their car into someone else causing them great injury and suffering. Another person’s sin has caused you to suffer. However, humans also suffer because we live in a fallen and sin cursed world which is now filled with diseases, predators and parasites. You are born with a defective genetic code resulting in severe allergic reactions to common things that do not bother other people. You go on a missions trip and eat what everyone else is eating, but end up with dysentery or come back with malaria. You take a hike through the mountains, suddenly an earthquake occurs and your leg and arm is broken by falling rocks. Who sinned? Adam did and the world has been cursed ever since.
It is most likely that this paralyzed man would have held the same view as the religious leaders. He probably thought that his condition was direct punishment for some sin of his or his parents. The fact that the man was so severely afflicted that he was paralyzed made him a picture of sinfulness. Therefore, his greatest need was not physical healing, but forgiveness of sin. He needed his sin problem dealt with before the health problem could be cured. And that is exactly what Jesus uses the man to demonstrate to the religious leaders present. The solution to sin was receiving forgiveness from God.
Matthew 9:2 adds a little more detail telling him first to “take courage” in the sense of “don’t be afraid.” We can certainly understand the man could have lots of reasons to fear such as being lowered through a roof; wondering if Jesus would be upset about that; wondering if Jesus would heal him. Jesus calmed any fear he might have had. The text states that it was in seeing their faith that Jesus responded, so it was not just the faith of the paralytic or one of the men helping him, but it was a faith demonstrated by all in the actions they had taken. Jesus then pronounced that the man’s sins were forgiven. The word for forgiven here (ajfivhmi / aphi mi) means dismissed or remitted. The man’s sins were sent away. The solution to man’s problem is to have our sins forgiven and sent away from us. In addition, Jesus said this in the perfect passive tense. The man’s sins were forgiven and would continue to be forgiven. But there were those present who were skeptical that Jesus could do this.
Luke 5:21 states, The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” This is actually a correct statement if Jesus is just a man. There is no man that can forgive your sin for even when you have done something wrong against someone else you have first and foremost sinned against God. Certainly you need to ask the forgiveness of other people for the wrongs you do to them, but that does not solve the sin problem. You need God’s forgiveness for your sin or your sin condemns you to eternal hell. Only God can forgive sin because He is the one that is offended. I know that some here come from backgrounds in which some sort of priest or religious leader pronounces your sins forgiven, but they have no more authority to do that than I have to tell you all your financial debts are forgiven. You do not own the money to me, so I cannot cancel the debt. They may foolishly think they are in the position to represent God, but 1 Timothy 2:5 makes it clear that there is only one mediator between God and man and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. I can only point you to what God says in His word about how to gain His forgiveness, then it is up to you take up the matter with Him.
If Jesus was just a man, the scribes and Pharisees were correct in their assessment and Jesus was blaspheming. But Jesus is not just a man, and though He had already done many things before them in demonstration of His deity, they still did not get it. Luke 5:22-26 records that Jesus rebuked them and then demonstrated that He did have authority to forgive sin.
First, Jesus responded to what they were thinking and apparently whispering to one another in Luke 5:22 But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Matthew 9:4 points out that this was a strong scolding for Jesus said they were thinking evil in their hearts.
Next, Jesus then sets up a test to prove His authority to forgive sins. There is no physical evidence in pronouncing someone’s sins to be forgiven. It is an easy thing to do since there is no means to confirm the validity of the claim. However, performing a miracle that only God could do proves the claim with physical proof immediately. Luke 5:23, “Which is easier, to say, Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, Get up and walk’? 24 “But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”He said to the paralytic”I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.”
The proof that Jesus could forgive sins was now bound up in what this paralytic man did next. If he continued to lay there, then Jesus was a false prophet and a blasphemer. If the man obeyed and did what Jesus commanded, then Jesus did have the authority to forgive sins. He is God in human flesh.
Luke 5:25, Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.
This miracle was more than just curing the cause of the paralysis. When muscles are not used they undergo atrophy and the person becomes weaker compounding the inability to move. Jesus cured the paralysis and gave the man instant strength because he was not only able to get up, he was also able to pick up the bedding he had been lowered on and carry it with him as he walked home, and understandably rejoicing all the way. The man was completely physically healed by the man who is God in human
flesh and so can forgive sins.
Luke 5:26, They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.” The crowd of people joined in the celebration of glorifying God for what had been done. Each gospel writer adds to the record of what they were saying in response. Luke states they were astonished and fearful and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Mark records that they were amazed and said, “We have never seen anything like this.” Matthew reports they were filled with awe, and glorified God, who had given such authority to man.
Conclusion
There is no one else like Jesus, the man who can forgive sin. The question left for you is what will you do with Him? Will you be like the scribes and Pharisees who remained skeptical even after all the miraculous signs Jesus did in their presence? Will you be like the crowd that praised Jesus for the moment because what He did was remarkable and astonishing, but they did not believe for they were always looking for the next remarkable and astonishing thing? Or will you be like the paralyzed man and his friends who had faith and were forgiven , and like the disciples who recognized Jesus’ true identity, were humble before Him and committed themselves to follow Him wherever He might lead them.
KIDS KORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Count how many times the word “heal ” is used. 2) Why did Jesus heal so many people? What there the healings designed to prove?
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. What are some of the wonderful attributes, characteristics and abilities Jesus possesses? Why is His ability to forgive sin the most important ability to mankind? Why does Jesus get in the boat to speak to the crowd? Simon is reluctant to cast out his nets to fish again, yet does what Jesus asks. Why? What is their reaction to the large catch of fish? What is Peter’s reaction toward Jesus? Why does he react this way? Why are Peter & Andrew along with James & John fishing? What differences are there in this event as compared to the one described in Matthew 4:18-22? What is the difference between a call to serve the Lord and a call to vocational ministry? How serious was this man’s leprosy? What did the Mosaic law require of lepers? Was leprosy curable in those times? How many had been cured up to that time? What is the significance of the man bowing down to make his request to Jesus? What should your attitude be when you ask God for something? What is the significance of Jesus touching the leprous man to heal him? Why did Jesus instruct him to go show himself to the priest? Where was Jesus in Luke 5:17? What is the significance of there being scribes and Pharisees present? Why was the crowd so large? Why was it safe for the men to dig a hole in the roof? How did their actions demonstrate their faith? What was the typical understanding of the scribes, Pharisees and most Jews of the reason a person would have a disease or sickness? How does that effect the significance of Jesus pronouncing the man’s sins to be forgiven? What are the three origins of human suffering? Give examples. Why would it be blasphemy for a man to pronounce someone to be forgiven of their sins? Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees for their reasoning and call it evil? Why did Jesus heal the paralyzed man? How did He heal him? To what extent was the man healed? What did this healing prove? What was the man’s response? What was the response of the crowd? What is your response to Jesus?
Sermon Notes – 9/8/2013
Following the Man That Can Forgive Sin – Matthew 8:2-4; 9:1-8; Mark 1:40- 2:12-45 Luke 5:1-26
Introduction – Jesus’ wonderful attributes, characteristics and abilities include:
__________________ : The eternal Word became a man fulfilling many prophecies
Fulfilling all ________________ in His baptism and defeating the devil when tempted
Performing the __________________ : Turning water into wine
_________________ for God’s honor: Cleansing the Temple, His Father’s house, beginning to teach
______________________: Revealing Himself to the Samaritans and spending two days teaching them
Teaching with _________________ even when it caused those in Nazareth to reject Him
Boldly teaching throughout Galilee and graciously _________any who were sick and casting out demons
Jesus’ most important ability to us is being able to _______________
Second Call of the Fisherman – Luke 5:1-1 1
Jesus solves the difficulty of speaking to such a large crowd by speaking from a ____________ just offshore
Luke 5:4-1 1 – A miracle catch – the nets were about to ___________ so they get help from James & John
Jesus was not a professional ___________, but as Lord of the universe He knew when & where to catch fish
Don’t take the Lord for _________________, remember His identity and your need of Him
Peter was ____________of his sinfulness, but Jesus calmed his fears and called them to a different vocation
A _____________event than Matthew 4:18-22. Different nets, type of fishing and location of James & John
They continued to help in the ____________ fishing business until Jesus called them to a different vocation
Few serve the Lord vocationally, but _____________ Christian is to serve the Lord full time as a way of life
Cleansing the Leper – Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1 :40-45; Luke 5:12-16
The man is _____________ with leprosy, yet comes to Jesus
The Mosaic law required lepers to stay ______________ and warn people when they were near
Modern medicine can usually cure leprosy and other skin diseases, but it was ___________ in ancient times
The man bows down and _____________ makes his request – vs. 12
We make _______________ of the Lord believing He is able, not demands believing that He must
Jesus, the man of righteousness, reached out and ____________the unclean leprous man and healed him
Jesus came to seek and save sinners. He can make the unclean _______________
Jesus told the man to tell no one but the priests in order to keep the Law and as a _______________to them
The man told people anyway and the crowds became ___________________
Forgiving Sin – Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26
Jesus is in His own home in ________________ where a large crowd has gathered to hear Him teach
Four men want to help a _______________man get to Jesus, but they cannot get through the crowd
The men make a __________in the flat roof of the house and lower the man down to Jesus
They were ______________ in their effort and willing to do what they needed to in order to s
ucceed
Luke 5:20 – Jesus is not upset about His roof, but recognizes their _________& pronounces his sins forgiven
The scribes, Pharisees and most Jews believed that such illness was due to that person’s ________- cf John 9
People do suffer from the consequences of their _________ sin – cf. Galatians 6:7-8, Romans 1:18f
People also suffer because of the consequences of the sins of ______________
We also suffer because we live in a fallen and sin _____________world – the consequence of Adam’s sin
The man’s greatest need was the ______________ of his sins, not physical healing
His sins were forgiven – dismissed – remitted – ___________ – then and would continue to be in the future
Luke 5:21 – the scribes and Pharisees thought Jesus was blaspheming because ____________ can forgive sin
1 Timothy 2:5 – _____ Jesus is the mediator between God and man – you must receive forgiveness from Him
Luke 5:22 / Matthew 9:4 – Jesus rebuked them for their _____________ hearts and reasoning of unbelief
Luke 5:23-24 – Jesus sets up a tangible ____________ to prove His intangible authority to forgive sin
Luke 5:25 – the man is _______ of the paralysis & the weak muscles, he picks up his bed & leaves rejoicing
Luke 5:26 – The crowd is ______________ and joins in the celebration of glorifying God
Conclusion – What will you do with Jesus?
Will you be like the scribes and Pharisees who remained ______________ in their unbelief?
Will you be like the astonished ________that praised Jesus for the moment, but still did not believe in Him?
Will you be like the paralyzed man who had _____________ to be forgiven?
Will you be like the disciples who committed themselves to _____________ Jesus wherever He might lead?
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