Day 2: March 23, 2020

In this passage, we see:

  • Jesus moving to forgive sins and heal in response to faith (v.1-12)
  • Eating with the socially unacceptable of his day (v.13-17)
  • Answering objections about the way he and his disciples were doing things (v.18-22)
  • Claiming authority over the Sabbath day (v.23-28)

Notice that when he heals the paralytic, his first response to the faith of the friends is not to grant him physical healing: Jesus knows that the man’s true need is far deeper than that, and instead tells him that his sins are forgiven.

The faith of the paralytic’s friends moved the heart of Jesus on their friend’s behalf, and our faith can move God’s heart on behalf of others as well! Unlike the friends in this passage, it isn’t a matter of us getting people to Jesus; we are the body of Christ, so now it is a matter of us getting Jesus to people!

Mark 2

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that 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. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And 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 is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned 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’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Jesus Calls Levi

13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

A Question About Fasting

18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.


How might you use this time as an opportunity to bring Jesus to your family and your neighbors? How can we, like the friends in the passage, do whatever it takes during this time to see people’s lives changed by an encounter with Christ?


10 thoughts on “Mark Chapter 2

  1. We need to be the hands and feet for those in need. Just like the four friends brought their friend to Jesus we need to have faith in the power of Jesus and bring our friends and neighbors to His saving power during this time.

  2. And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” v.17

    This jumped out to me most this morning. Am I a proud religious person like the Pharisees who didn’t understand who Jesus was or what he was doing? Or do I understand myself to be just like the tax collectors and sinners that Jesus dined with?

    A humbling truth. I want to love people like Jesus and bring the gospel to those who are outcasts and sinners, just like me!

  3. I love the fact that Jesus was not afraid to get his hands dirty, and was unapologetic for His choice. Jesus was right where He needed to be.

  4. I’m so glad we are doing this together! Thank you to all who were involved in getting this up and running, and making it techno easy enough for even me to do!

  5. Help me Lord lead my wife and girls with faith and wisdom, trusting you to provide for and protect us, as we do what we can for ourselves, but also for others felt needs and spiritual needs. I am encouraging a family member to read through the book of Philippians and guiding them through that.

  6. I pray to be aware of and faithful in doing whatever Jesus points out to me each day. Whether it is sharing His encouraging Word with someone I know or a stranger. I pray I value every opportunity for prayer and good works as the Lord would have me. And give God the Glory for any fruitful seed He gives me the ability to sow! CFBC Staff, THANK YOU for making this study available. Blessings & Prayers everyone!

  7. Superb post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic?

    I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.

    Thank you!

  8. My daughter and I are having great discussions about our time in the Word and prayers. We spend time watching services together and discuss those as well. We are digging deeper and using this time to learn better how to lean into God.

    I share this with others by infusing conversations with what I am learning. I endeavor sharing God’s peace and comfort whether by testimony or scripture in conversations with friends and family.

    God is working in a mighty way through this season, throughout the world. We are allowed to be apart of this as “ambassadors for Christ” 2 Corinthians 5:20. We share His light in the midst of darkness. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

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