We’re going to be in Mark chapter two today. What a powerful passage this is. As you know, the next service will be dedicated entirely to baptisms. We would love for you to stay and be part of it. There will undoubtedly be people coming into the sanctuary between the 10:00 and 10:30 hour, but it’s going to be an exciting day as we witness the work of the Lord.
In Mark chapter two, we see a miracle. And in the second service, we will hear about miracles through the testimonies of those being baptized. This service is the only time we will have a preaching message from the Gospel of Mark, so let’s stand as we read from Scripture. After I read, I’ll pray, and then I’m going to begin by retelling the story with some thoughtful elaboration.
Whenever I do that, I want you to know that any additional details I provide are meant to help us engage with the story more personally. These elaborations are not errors; they are simply a way to shape the sermon and bring the passage to life. They come from my reading of the text and are intended to help us enter into the story in a meaningful way.
So, let’s read from Mark chapter two. This is the word of the Lord:
“When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. Many gathered together, so there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
“When they couldn’t get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him. When they had made an opening, they lowered the bed on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’
“Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’
“Immediately, Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they were questioning within themselves, said to them, ‘Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Rise, take up your bed and walk”? But 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, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.’
“And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and walked out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!'”
May God encourage us through His Word. What a story! Let’s pray. Please be seated.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank You for sending us Your Son. Thank You for Your promise that He will return. Our hearts cry out as we sing, “Come, Lord Jesus.” This world is broken, and we need You now—to mend every hurt, to heal every heart, and to bring peace to the nations.
We pray, Father, that Your kingdom would rule and reign in us right now. And yet, we long for the day when Jesus the King is seated on the throne of David, ruling over all the earth, when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess His name.
Right now, we lift up those who are suffering as a result of the brokenness and sin in this dark world. We think of Ukraine and ask that You bring peace. We grieve for the seventy lives lost in Congo and pray that You would strengthen Your church and comfort those families through this terrible trial. We also remember those receiving back the bodies of loved ones after horrific tragedies in Israel. We pray for Your peace in that land as well. And Lord, help us to be faithful in proclaiming the good news of the gospel, which is for all people, everywhere, in every nation. Father, help us to share it with faith, with courage, with boldness, and with confidence. Please bless us today. We pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Once upon a time, long ago, in a land far away, a strong and healthy middle-aged farmer was working to repair the roof of his barn. Suddenly, he slipped and fell to the ground, unconscious. His workers rushed to him, carefully lifting him and carrying him into the house, where they did their best to tend to his injuries. They laid him on his bed, hoping he would recover.
A few hours later, he awoke with a scream—he couldn’t move his arms or legs. Panicked, his family called for the local physician. The doctor examined him but regretfully admitted there was nothing he could do. He urged them all to pray, explaining that sometimes paralysis like this could resolve on its own—but sometimes, it was permanent.
The devastating news cast a heavy shadow over the man, his wife, and his family. They prayed fervently, pleading with God for healing. As the sun set, exhaustion finally overtook him, and he drifted into restless sleep.
The next morning, he awoke with the faint hope that the previous day had been a terrible dream. But when he tried to move, his limbs remained motionless—powerless in his bed. The day dragged on without improvement. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. Eventually, he and his wife had to face the painful reality: he would never walk again.
At first, his mind was consumed by the immediate, practical concerns of life. Who will care for my vineyard? Who will provide for my wife and children? How will we survive? How long will I live like this? The more he thought about it, the more fear gripped his heart.
But as time passed, his thoughts began to shift from his physical condition to the eternal reality of his soul. What will happen to me when I die? He had been taught the law of God, and the question haunted him. Am I ready to face the Lord? What will I say when I stand before Him in judgment? That day could come at any moment. I know I will have to give an account for every careless word and every sinful deed.
His mind wandered further. What will happen to my wife and children spiritually? Have I prepared them for eternity? Life is fleeting—I see that more clearly now than ever before. How can I prepare myself?
Lying in his bed day after day, the things of this world began to fade into the background. The concerns that once filled his thoughts seemed trivial now. Before his accident, he had been too busy to consider spiritual matters. But now, they consumed him.
He began replaying the sins of his past, unable to escape them. He had nothing else to do but remember. He thought of the time he got drunk and made a fool of himself. The times he spoke harshly to his wife and made her cry. The times he was greedy in business and treated others unfairly. The times he grumbled against God. The times he allowed bitterness to take root in his heart. The times he lusted in his thoughts. The times he ignored the Lord altogether and failed to honor Him in worship.
Before, it had been easy to forget these things. But now, as he faced the reality of meeting his Creator, they were all he could think about. A deep dread washed over his soul.
His friends visited him often, doing their best to encourage him. Each time, they prayed, hoping the Lord would heal him. But they could tell that their friend’s deepest concern was not for his body—it was for his soul. And they didn’t know how to give him peace.
One day, as his friends were talking together, they heard incredible news: Jesus of Nazareth is back! He had returned to Capernaum. They had heard the stories—the miracles He performed, the people He healed, the lives He changed.
