All Scriptures are from The Message Version
It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people (if alone there is always Skype, instant messaging, etc.) but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Commentaries for these scriptures can be found on Textweek.com through this link http://www.textweek.com/mkjnacts/mark2a.htm
Today we look at Jesus taking on conventional wisdom, easy judgments of others and the sense of false superiority we might have about ourselves as we compare ourselves to the ‘other’. In the gospel Lectionary scripture Mark gives us another healing story with a different teaching objective:
Mark 2:1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren't able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."
6-7 Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, "He can't talk that way! That's blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins."
8-12 Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, "Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, 'I forgive your sins,' or say, 'Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . ." (he looked now at the paraplegic), "Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home." And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, "We've never seen anything like this!"
First let’s look at the paraplegic and his friends
• Here we have the crowds again, the curious, those who want to learn, those who might be suspicious of this Jesus person. What does the crowd of people pressing in around Jesus tell us about his ministry? What was he doing when the paraplegic was brought to the home?
• What would it take to motivate you to fight crowds, confusion and claustrophobia to see for yourself, to be a part of an event? Are there any contemporary persons or groups that have this kind of attraction for you? What are some of the characteristics of a setting, an individual, theology, etc. that would strongly draw you to a “teaching of the Word”?
• Have you ever made an extraordinary effort to help someone in need try to improve their situation? What motivated you? Did you have any help? Would it make a difference in your response if it were family, a friend or someone who was a stranger?
• Have you ever had someone go the extra mile for you? How do you feel as you look back on it? Was your life changed?
Now let’s look at Jesus’ response and the lessons the writer of Mark’s Gospel might have intended by including this story:
• Imagine the scene, people climbing on the roof, breaking in, lowering the paraplegic, dust, dirt, confusion, Jesus turning from teaching to this spectacle. What is his reaction to being interrupted? How do you feel about interruptions in your routine or concentration on a task by someone with a different priority? What place does flexibility and sensitivity to situations have in our faith life? See the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
• What did Jesus diagnose as the paraplegic’s most pressing affliction? How would you feel if you were the man, had gone through all of this hoping for healing and got, “I forgive your sins”? Now there was a strong sense at the time, and even to some extent today, that and other difficulties are visited upon us because of some sinful act or acts we have committed so this might be an interpretation, but still how would you feel either in his place or if you were one of the stretcher bearers.
• Ah the voices of religious orthodoxy speak, “blasphemy”! First what does it say that “religious scholars” were present? What might have drawn them? Who might be some contemporary academic, denominational, or congregational positions which might be filled by those considered “religious scholars”? Does this story suggest we should have some reservations about what we hear from them?
• Can our religious heritage, training, and theology prevent us from seeing God’s presence in our day to day lives? Paul expressed it this way in Romans 2 (fill in the blank with your religious or cultural preference):
If you're brought up _____, don't assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you're an insider to God's revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines! I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God's revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you?
• What response do you have to Paul’s words? What should we beware of as people of faith? Can we in any way claim we know what God’s thinks or how God interprets the actions of others? What do we need to be sure is going on in our faith lives to keep us out of this trap?
• What is your reaction to Jesus’ response to the “scholars”? Is it too in your face? What is the reaction of the crowd – do you think that Jesus wanted them to respond in this way? Would he have healed the man if the scholars were not there or had kept quiet?
• The man picked up his stretcher and walked away – how powerful is that imagery for you? Jesus tells us in John’s Gospel that we will do even greater things that he did (John 14:11-14), does that include physical healing? How would you react if you saw this healing occur today, what would it take for you to believe it was a true healing?
• So you have gotten this far, what is your take-away, what are your questions, what one thing have you learned? Feel free to comment at the bottom of this post.
Closing Litany
Dignify those who are down on their luck;
you'll feel good—that's what GOD does.
GOD looks after us all,
makes us robust with life—
Lucky to be in the land,
we're free from enemy worries.
Whenever we're sick and in bed,
GOD becomes our nurse,
nurses us back to health.
Amen
Psalm 41
Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15, Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10
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