Ransom for Many

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?” 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” (Mark 2:16-17)

Jesus was criticized for eating with tax collectors and other sinners. And praise Him that He is willing still to meet with and heal sinners today. Cry out to HIm to heal your sin-sickness. And if He has already healed you, be like Levi and bring them to meet Jesus, the Redeemer of sinners.

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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 (Mark 2:15).

Levi was radically changed by his contact with Jesus. He wants to bring his friends to his home to meet with Jesus. What were conversations around the table like? Without a doubt Jesus engaged different people there and discussed their souls. Are we wiling to to do the same?

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He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 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 (Mark 2:13-14).

There is nothing about Levi that made Him want to draw near to Jesus. Jesus saw him, approached him, and called him to become a follower. The response is immediate and remarkable. What about you?

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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’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 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" (Mark 2:5-12)

If Jesus had never come to earth, He could have looked upon us from heaven and pitied us. But He could not forgive sins. But because He came to the earth and lived perfectly and sinlessly, died a ransom for many, and rose from the dead, He has the authority and ability to forgive sins.

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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’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 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!”

How do we know Jesus has the power to forgive sins? Because He has and He does. How do we know if we have been forgiven? It is exemplified by a radically changed life.

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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’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 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!” (Mark 2:5-12).

A paralyzed man was brought to Jesus. He wanted healing of his physical ailment. He wanted to walk. But his greatest need was not his legs being repaired. His greatest need to reconciliation with God. Jesus answered the first need first.

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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 (Mark 2:1-4).

It ought to be our great joy to bring people to Jesus. If you can't bring someone physically, bring them spiritually regardless of the cost.

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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 (Mark 2:1)

When surrounded by people, Jesus did what was most beneficial to their souls. He preached the gospel to them. Their need is our need. We need to hear the gospel message just as they did 2,000 years ago.

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And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home (Mark 2:1).

Today we begin reading chapter two of Mark and we must stop at the very beginning of the story to look at the fact Jesus returned to Capernaum. How many times have you heard the gospel? All your life God has held out His arm to you, why do you resist?

If you are a believer stay close to Him! What mercy and grace and patience there is in our Savior!

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But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter (Mark 1:45).

Yesterday we read where Jesus told the lepor to not tell anyone. But today we read the lepor disobeyed. When Jesus Christ speaks, we are to do nothing but obey. The lepor's reaction resulted in Jesus no longer being able to work in that area.

How do we know if we need the spur or the bridle? It only comes from listening to the guiding of the Spirit. He will speak and give us that spirit of wisdom and discernment. And we must obey.

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