Mark 2

1. Historical Background

Chapter one began with introductions to Jesus the “Son of God” followed by quotes and allusions to the OT that set up Jesus as the Messianic end-times figure portrayed by the Scriptures.  The sky is “rent” at His baptism and God’s voice identifies Him as His Son.  Jesus begins healing and commanding devils to depart.  Very quickly, Mark is building up Jesus’ resume of power and authority.

Chapter two continues with the “who is Jesus” theme showing us not only can he heal serious diseases but He also has the authority to forgive sins. He spends much time with outcast people in their homes, not to identify with them to heal the ones who readily admit their need.  He calls men to be with him in a part of a future strategy.  And He expresses through Scriptures His exalted status over the law such as the sabbath day.

2. Theology

(A Note about Theological observations in the Gospels) When we discuss theology in the Gospel, the majority of our observations will be focused on Christology.  The difference between answering questions #2 and #3 will be observations of Christ vs fulfillment in Christ.  Question #3 will always point to the message of the Gospel and how Jesus fulfills the necessary actions of our salvation.

Christ has the authority and power to forgive sins. When Mark records Jesus healing the man sick of the palsy, this instance wasn’t the first healing of this sort, so why give us another account?  We look for differences in each account and when we look we find that Jesus, instead of healing the man directly, says to the man, “Thy sins be forgiven thee.”

This statement begins a controversy in the heart of “certain scribes” charing Jesus for blasphemy. But Jesus uses this miracle to display his sin forgiving authority.  Which is easier to say?  To command the lame to walk or to forgive sins?    If Jesus was just a charlatan, it would be easier for him to forgive sins, because there is no immediate outward sign to serve as evidence.  But if Jesus were to command the lame to walk, particularly someone with palsy, the power would evident and thus harder to say.

However, theologically, sin would hard to actually forgive because “none can forgive sins but God alone.” In this the scribes are correct, and so Jesus performed the miracle to show his sin-forgiving authority.  Immediately because of what Jesus said and did, a line is drawn in the sand where the reader will decide either Jesus is lying or He really can forgive sins. We can also see implications about Jesus’ divinity in this instance.  Only God can forgive sins.

Because of who Christ is, His ministry and authority supersede the  “Old Testament”. There are several elements in the passage that lead us to this conclusion.  The first is the statements by crowds beholding the miracles Jesus performs, “We never saw it on this fashion.”  We wouldn’t conclude that Christ supersedes with just this alone but we are also given Jesus’ lengthy answer to the Pharisees question, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?” Jesus responds particularly with three metaphors signifying the newness of Jesus’ work and the importance of His character.

1. When the bridegroom is present, everyone’s attention is focused on him.  Because Jesus is the “bridegroom” in this scenario, life doesn’t resume as normal.  While he is present with the people, everyone will give up ‘normal’ activities to be with the Master.
2. Jesus’ ministry is new altogether, He isn’t supplementing something the OT lacks. The last two metaphors are similar in message. Jesus isn’t “patching up” the tears and weaknesses of the OT, He is bringing something new to the table.  His doctrine, power, and authority called for a new system altogether, and it simply won’t do to make Him fit inside the pre-existing bottle, this is something superseding the old.

Along with this same thing, Jesus is challenged with another question of why they pluck and eat on the sabbath.  Jesus’ answer was an observation from scripture that David’s authority gave him special privileges a commoner may not enjoy.  The implication is that Jesus’ authority is greater than David’s, as not only is He the son of God, but He is also the “Son of man”.  With the combination of “Son of man” title and Jesus’ assertion of being the “Lord of the sabbath”, it is hard to miss that this is a direct claim to His divinity.

3. Fulfillment in Christ

In Christ alone is our salvation from sins.  Because He alone forgives sins, not a priest, church, or other entity.  “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” is a rhetorical statement that remains true when Jesus is seen forgiving sins.  The one who does the forgiving is also the one who bears the full price and damage of the offense, and so He did on the cross for all our sins.

Nothing in the Old Testament made men perfect before God, but in Christ, all is made perfect.  For those under the yoke of the Old Covenant, the laws of Moses could do nothing to save a person.  For once a person is guilty of the law, they must bear the curse of the law.  Therefore, we needed a Savior whose power and authority is greater than the covenant.  In Jesus, we have such a One.  Once a person places their trust in Christ, they are initiated in the New Covenant.  For those under the law, Christ fulfills their debts on their behalf, paid in full, declared to be righteous before God.

But also in Christ is a new work of eternal life and redemption from sin’s the Old Testament never provides.  In Christ is the promises of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, one’s name recorded in the book of life, and declaration of justification on your behalf in the day of judgment; all because Jesus imputes to us His righteousness through the transaction of the gospel, His death, burial, and resurrection.  Believed by faith, all to come to Christ are made perfect before God, it is the offer of the ages and our eternal hope before God.

4. Application

I will understand that I cannot be brought under law or set of rules while I am in Christ.  While I am in Christ, I am already made perfect with God, therefore I do not need to add religion to the equation to make myself anymore accepted than I already am.  My simple responsibility before God is to be found in Christ through faith and faithfulness to Him.  I obey His word not to earn or avail myself to His blessing, but out of an understanding that obedience to Him is bound up in my identity when I surrendered my life to Him at the cross in faith.