Good News For a Bad World - 7
Mark 2:1-14 (1)
Christopher Reeve was born on the 25 September 1952 in New York. As a child he learned piano. As a teenager he played in an orchestra. As a student he studied drama. And then he got his big break. This 6 foot 4 giant of a man became Superman. There he was, a massive ‘S’ on his chest always ready to save the universe from imminent disaster.
Well, after his Superman days he found a new passion. A passion for horses and horse-riding. And then he had his terrible accident. In 1995 he fell off his horse snapped his spinal cord and was left completely paralysed from the neck down.
Nine years later, at the age of 52, Christopher died of a heart-attack. The sad story of Christopher Reeve.
Here in Mark we have another sad story. The story of someone who might very well have been left paralysed, like Christopher Reeve, as a result of some tragic accident.
Thankfully though, this sad story has a much happier ending, because Jesus appears on the scene and this man’s life is never the same again.
Alright let’s come at Mark 2 from a number of different angles. To start with, we’ll use the word FAME.
According to v1 we find ourselves in the town of Capernaum. Capernaum has become the headquarters of Jesus’ early ministry. That’s where He is. In a house in Capernaum. Peter’s house. And this house was crammed to the door. Full to capacity (v2).
We need to understand, that at first Jesus was extremely popular. Actually, the first year of His ministry is known as the year of His popularity. People came from far and near to hear Him and see Him for themselves. Everywhere He went He was surrounded by throngs and throngs of people. Thousands of people.
Of course it didn’t last long. Once they heard what He had to say they left. They enjoyed the miracles BUT they balked at the message.
So much so, that many of them left. And Jesus even asked His disciples on one occasion. “Are you going to leave as well?”
Listen. In case you didn’t realise, people are very unpredictable. One minute they’re for you and singing your praises and the next you can’t see them for dust. They’re gone.
That’s why the Bible warns us not to put our trust in others and not to pin our hopes on any human. WHY? Because that’s all they are. Human. The only One we can trust and depend on and pin all our hopes on is who? The unchanging, unchangeable God.
Well that’s the story before us. Here’s Jesus. He’s the latest big thing in town. BUT not for very long. Soon He’s history. Very quickly they’re away looking for the next celebrity. So there’s the first word, FAME.
Let me give a second word. FRUSTRATION.
We’re introduced now to a paralytic. The man can’t move. His whole body’s gripped with paralysis.
Possibly the paralysis has even affected his speech because there’s no mention here in Mark or any of the other Gospels that he ever said a single thing. So maybe he wasn’t able to speak as well as not being able to move.
Here he is then. He’s trapped. He’s totally at the mercy of those around him. He can’t do anything for himself.
Just for a moment put yourself in his shoes or should I say put yourself on his mat. Because that’s where he’s lying. On a mat.
He can’t walk or run or work. He can’t do anything. Someone has to feed him. Someone has to carry him. Someone has to clothe him. Someone has to clean him. Someone has to wash him. Someone has to care for his every need. And remember, there’s no medical assistance to speak of.
He wakens up in the morning and hopes it’s all just been a horrible, horrendous nightmare. And then, it hits him. It’s not a dream. It’s not even a nightmare. This is for real. His whole life, day in day out, week in week out, month in month out, year in year out for however long, his whole entire life has been this bed, this mattress. Everything just revolves around this measly mat. That’s his world. This is it.
BUT it’s even more tragic. Because I want you to understand the mentality of that day and generation. This man wasn’t just stricken by physical paralysis, he’s also crippled with emotional paralysis, which is a million times worse.
You see, most folk thought that sickness and illness was the result of sin. That’s what the vast majority of people in that culture thought.
You remember John 9. Jesus passed someone who was blind and the disciples - get that - the disciples said, “Who sinned? This guy or his parents? Whose fault is it. This must be some kind of punishment”.
Listen. Of course, we understand that as a result of the fall, as a result of sin, sickness and suffering has come into the world. We know that. BUT not all sickness is the direct result of sin. BUT the people back then didn’t understand that.
And so he’s in a right mess. He’s stigmatised. Physically he’s struggling and emotionally he’s struggling big time, with the cruel, callous, cold, caustic attitudes of those around him. Their misconceptions and ignorance must’ve caused him such, such pain of mind and heart.
Listen. I’m afraid to tell you it still happens. We can make judgements and before we know it, we hurt a lot of people and make their situations far worse.
Well, that’s certainly what happened to this man. Years and years and years of misery, all combined and compounded by insensitivity and stigma and pain. Marred and scarred in every possible way. How terribly frustrating!
Thankful that’s not the end of the story. Because after Fame and Frustration we have two more words. Friendship and Forgiveness. This man is blessed by having some great friends and he encounters Jesus Christ and he enjoys His forgiveness. And that’s what we’ll think about next time.