Read Mark 2: 1 – 12

Caregivers

Summary/Thoughts:

Caring for someone you love who is sick can take its toll on you.  The endless doctor visits, hospital stays, worry that your loved one will not get better, etc. can weigh you down.  So if you knew there was someone who could heal your loved one, wouldn’t you do anything?

This account takes place in Capernaum, late one night, where Jesus had already healed many in the town.  Four men planned to bring their paralytic loved one to Jesus but because of the dense crowds, they couldn’t get to Him.  Desperate to have their loved one healed, they climbed on the roof of the home and took the tiles off to lower him down. They were willing to risk embarrassment, and more importantly, destruction of personal property to get this man before Jesus.

When we read this account closely, look at the role of the men.  Their actions made a tremendous impact on Jesus. It wasn’t the actions of the man who was paralyzed, but the faith of his friends. Jesus then said something we don’t want to miss. Instead of telling the man to walk, He said to the paralytic man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  Telling him his sins were forgiven isn’t exactly what the man was expecting. As a matter of fact, the teachers of the law thought Jesus was blaspheming God. Jesus then asked them why were they thinking such things? He questioned which was easier to understand: “Your sins are forgiven, or take up your mat and walk?” 

Jesus turned to the paralytic man and spoke to him directly with instructions to get up, carry your mat and go home.  The dedication and faith that Jesus could heal their friend was rewarded with him leaving that house on his own two feet, carrying the mat he had laid on. 

We want to encourage you to reread this account again. Did the audience and the man possibly miss something important that Jesus was trying to convey when He responded to their need?  

Questions:

1. Can you identify with these men who were desperate to see their loved one healed
2. Why do you think Jesus would speak to the gift of forgiveness of sins vs. gift of healing?  Do you think they go hand in hand? Why?
3. Do our actions line up with our faith?

Read Mark 3: 1 – 6
Standing Up

Summary/Thoughts:

Jesus was in a synagogue on the Sabbath.  Worshipping there that day was a man with a shriveled hand.  Seeing the man, Jesus said to him, “Stand up in front of everyone.”  Note that key statement. Jesus didn’t pull this guy over to the side and quietly heal his hand.  No, He wanted everyone, including His critics, to see Him heal this man on the Sabbath.  

The man had to stand up in front of everyone.  His deformity was put on full display. If he had been hiding this under a cloak, he could not do it anymore.  By standing up and being obedient, his need was front stage for everyone to soon see a healing. He didn’t know what Jesus was going to do.  He didn’t refuse due to embarrassment. He simply obeyed giving his full attention to the Healer, and Jesus healed him on the spot.  

Questions:

1. Have you ever considered that yours or a loved one’s illness might be an opportunity to show others the glory of God?
2. Why do you think Jesus wanted him to stand up in front of everyone?
3. Obedience played a part in this man’s healing.  What did you learn from this man?

Read Mark 3: 7 – 12
Crowding Jesus

Summary/Thoughts:

Have you ever stood in line at a Black Friday sale waiting with hundreds of people until they opened the doors?  It can be a free for all as people crowd, push and run for great deals. In today’s account, Jesus is the reason everyone flocked to the Galilee region.  People heard of his healing power and they wanted it for themselves.

It says in verse 10, “For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.”  There were so many people, Jesus had his disciples get a small boat, to keep the people from crowding him.

We too can seek Jesus with as much fervor as these people did.  They made seeking Him their priority over schedules, work, etc. They looked to Him for their ultimate healing and so can we today.

Questions:

1. When was the last time you were with others crowding in to see or experience something?  What was happening around you?
2. Have you ever desperately sought God for something, sacrificing your comfort in doing so?
3. Why do you think Jesus didn’t want the people crowding Him?  Was it about His comfort, or other’s access?

Read Mark 5: 1 – 20

Spiritually Tormented

Summary/Thoughts:

Today’s account features a man possessed by many demons. He was known by the townspeople and yet he lived in isolation among the tombs. He is described as a man who has often been bound and chained but unable to be subdued due to his supernatural strength. His extreme mental anguish and agony is on full display as he cried out day and night, cutting himself in pain. 

One day, Jesus was nearby and the tormented man approached him. Jesus said to the demon possessing the man, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” The demon then cried out: “What is it that you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me.” The demonic spirits knew the power of Jesus to rid this man of his chains of torment. Commanding the spirits to leave him, Jesus sent the evil spirits into a herd of about 2000 pigs, driven into a lake and drowned.  What happened to the man next? We see him sitting, dressed, and in his right mind. 

Today, the enemy still prowls like a lion seeking to devour and destroy. (1Peter 5:8) He isolates individuals from friends and family via depression, addictions, sin, shame, whispering lies and robbing people of their sound mind and peace.  The devil and his demons have limited reign here on earth, but they can certainly wreak havoc on the lives of others. 

Notice what Jesus said to the man when it was time for Jesus to leave.  Instead of allowing this man to join Him on the boat, Jesus told the man:  “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”  This man was no longer with his family, and most likely either retreated himself to the tombs or was driven away into isolation from them.  Can you imagine the surprise when he knocked on their door? Their prodigal son was home telling of a healing encounter with the Son of God!

Questions:  

1. Did reading today’s passage impact your mindset about what a demon-possessed man or woman may look like? What are the characteristics and the references in the passages about this man’s demonic possession?
2. Once Jesus healed the man, he was freed of his suffering – his state-of-mind, characteristics and outward appearance changed.  Do you think he wanted to leave Jesus’ side? Why do you think Jesus told him to go home to his family?
3. At the Cross, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities of this world, triumphing over them (See Colossians 2:15).  Believers cannot be possessed by a demon; however, the enemy is still alive and active. Read 1 Peter 5:8. What does scripture tell us to do to stand firm against the enemy?

Read Mark 5: 21 – 24; 35 – 43
Just Believe

Summary/Thoughts:

Jairus is the principal character in this account.  He was a synagogue ruler, so when his little daughter was deathly ill, ignoring what others might say, he fell at the feet of Jesus pleading for her healing.  Can you relate? He was laser focused on one thing – he wanted his daughter to live. 

While in the crowd, some men told him that his daughter had just died.  Upon hearing this terrible news, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”  Jesus could say this because He had the power to raise the dead. And even though his daughter was dead, Jairus believed Jesus and took him to his home to see his daughter.

By outward appearances she was dead.  Mourners were in the house wailing and grieving her loss, but they had no clue that Jesus was about to change everything.  He said, “The child is not dead but asleep.” Putting out the mourners, Jesus gathered her parents together and went into the room. Taking her by the hand, he speaks to the little girl and says: “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”  Immediately, she stood up and began to walk around. Completely astonished, we can only imagine those flute playing mourners were now playing a new tune!

Questions:

1. What does Jesus’ words “Don’t be afraid; just believe” mean to you in your circumstance?
2. Jairus could have given up once they told him his daughter died. What does this say about his faith that he still took Jesus to her?
3. Are there naysayers in your life that you are listening to instead of believing what God can do?