Musing about Mark 2:5

This Sunday, I continue in the sermon series entitled Mark(ed) by the Gospel with the opening section of Mark 2. I have always enjoyed this particular passage for it surprises and the vividness of its narrative. I still remember a sermon that Charles Roesel preached on this passage during a chapel service when I was at NOBTS.

In my study this week I have been trying to understand the theological implications about Jesus' announcing the forgiveness of the man's sins. The man does not ask for this forgiveness. There is no direct evidence in the text that this was on the man's mind. In fact, we know less about this man's faith and thoughts than anyone else in the text.

Are we to make assumptions about this man's heart based on Jesus' response? Or do we see this as a time that Jesus' purpose is larger than any other issue in play? Does this teach us anything about the forgiveness of sins or was it simply a unique event with little theological echo? The passage has left me curious.

Yet I feel alone in my curiousity. Out of 5 commentaries, a NT dictionary and my favorite systematic theology, none even began to address these issues.

A few of the commentaries discussed the relationship between sin and disease. But that seems secondary in this passage. The man was clearly not healed when his sins were forgiven. And Jesus Himself makes no particular effort to emphasize this relationship in the text we are provided.

What I do know is 1) that is if Jesus were to fix our greatest need, we would often be surprised by what that was. 2) Sin is a bigger issue than we ever really come to terms with. 3) Jesus is the Son of God.

If you can help with the rest, please let me know!

Invited to Speak

I do not often get invited to speak outside of my own church, but right now I have two invitations before. Neither of them are likely to impress you, but they are invitations still the same.

I count it a large privilege to share God's Word in any setting possible, but I am much more comfortable doing so within the context of an existing relationship. Speaking or preaching to strangers has always been a bit uncomfortable for me (and the same can likely be said for my listeners as well).

I don't know them. They don't know me. And I won't be with them next week to stand with them as they seek to apply His Word to their lives. I feel deeply called to be a pastor. Not so much to be an evangelist.

This morning I will be bringing a devotion to the Baptist Campus Ministries group at our local community college. (The reason I was invited to speak was because our ladies are providing lunch!) These students (and staff) hear from a different preacher every week. I think that most weeks the typical message leans toward an evangelistic presentation. If this is the case, I worry that these students may be developing an immunity to the gospel they have not yet fully heard or understood.

My goal this morning is simply to help them know Jesus a bit better. I will be sharing from Mark 2 and plan to encourage the students to consider that their spiritual needs are actually greater than any other part of their life. I would like them to be caught by the wonder of God's Word to their lives. That will, in time lead to their becoming fully devoted followers of Christ.

But like I said, I don't get out much.