Though the law forbade it, Jesus touched the leper.
Our symbol this week is Jesus reaching out in compassion to the leper.
It is sobering to realize that this horrible disease is often used to represent sin in Scripture.
The day I knelt to receive Christ, before He touched me and made me clean, He showed me I wasn’t the nice young woman I imagined myself to be, but instead, I was covered with the disease of sin which maimed me, isolated me from those I loved, had oozing sores, and a terrible odor.
He showed me the real Dee and it was frightening.
But then!
He touched me and made me clean, made me whole!
I rose from my knees a new creation, with a new perspective, and a new heart.
A new Dee was beginning.
Often, it isn’t until we realize how ghastly our sin is that we realize we need a Savior,
it is only then that true heart transformation can happen.
My new friend Marty, whom I met a pickleball, shares that though she grew up Catholic, raised in parochial schools, and was always aware of God, she didn’t think of herself as a sinner, for she had neither murdered nor committed adultery. But after I invited her several times, she finally came to Bible study, and I could see God was wooing her. It was our study on the Beatitudes that caused the true opening of her heart and mind. She was riding her bike, pondering the puzzling passage about “blessed are those who mourn.”
Suddenly it hit her forcefully:
I am truly a sinner in desperate need of a Savior!
I, frankly, have been overwhelmed by the fruit I’ve seen in Marty’s life: forgiving some grievous wrongs, trusting in some life-threatening situations, and reaching out in great compassion to others. She always seemed like a nice woman, but wow, how I see the life of Jesus in her now!
Seeing our sin as leprosy is good, because the enemy lies that sin is our friend,
but the truth is, it will maim us, isolate us, and ruin our lives.
We need to run to Him in repentance. He knows what is best. As we learned last week,
“He is the King, I tell you.”
Highlight from Last Week’s Study on Christ as King:
Christ is King with Authority over All
We have such an amazing group here! I’m choosing Staci’s story from last week about how God led her with Tanzania for it so illustrates how Christ is King with authority over all. He knows the future and can warn his servants, as he did with David in 1 Samuel 23, so that David took another route. He did that with Staci too. But before I share an edited version of her story (you can read her whole story in last week’s comments) I asked her for some pictures of her months in the Tanzania orphanage. She sent these wonderful ones, showing her playfulness and connection with the children.
Staci returned home, when not too long later, the head of the orphanage asked her to return for six weeks so he could go to the States to raise funds. She agreed. She writes:
I bought my tickets and felt an immediate uneasiness, like I have never felt before…I began to have stomach aches and nightmares… I felt God warning me if I went I would not return home alive. Call that drastic, but I finally told my husband, which I was afraid to do, because I had already purchased my tickets and no refunds. I have a wonderful understanding husband, he said I had better listen and not go… Fast fwd to last summer, 2018 we are in our car driving across country to our new home here in Idaho. I receive a lengthy email from the missionaries in Tanzania basically saying they fled for their lives and could not return. I later talked with some ministry friends who have been in my life since the day I got saved at 21, they are like the parents I never had. He began to share when I called and told them I was going back to Africa, he had a bad feeling, God had him praying and would not let him sleep as well. I won’t go into it all, but basically told me what I already knew, I was not going to come back alive. He was really worried and was glad to hear when I called days later that I didn’t have peace and cancelled my trip.
Our God is King, and we are wise to listen to His still small voice, for He is also a caring Lord, often protecting us even when we are foolish. When Staci sent me these pictures, she said:
I have been thinking about my time in Tanzania and how God protected me… I did this trip completely solo. Landed in a city of 1 million people, Ramadan was in full swing and 3rd world . Then I trekked by bus with the locals for 12 hours across country west into the Bush, mind you when I say bus I mean no air, smelly, locals vomiting around me due to rough roads… It was quite a journey to say the least and I didn’t realize … you are the only white person, so you stand out and become the target for beggars and more.. did I mention a woman by herself? My husband thought I was nuts and had intel at his work check things out before I left. I look back now and I wouldn’t do that again by myself. But God had me there…
Here is a picture of Staci and her husband before he left for Turkey last year.
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the above and why?
- Was there a point in your life when you realized just bad sin was and that you desperately needed a Savior? If so, share something about it.
Monday: Praying in a Solitary Place
3. Read Mark 1:35-39
A. Describe what happened in verses 35-36.
B. Describe the dialogue between the disciples and Jesus in 37-38.
C. Why did Jesus say He had come?
D. What two things did he do as he traveled throughout Galilee?
4. What stands out to you from what Keller writes about this passage in the beginning of chapter
3 of “King’s Cross?”
5. How has the Lord met you this week in His Word or in your life?
Tuesday: Moved with Compassion
Read Mark 1:40-45
3. Read Mark 1:40-45 out loud with expression in order to see more.
A. Describe what happened, making observations, imagining emotions.
B. Do you have any questions for the group?
Read this half page article from Christiainity Today.
4. What stands out to you from this article and why?
Wednesday: Healing the Body and Soul
5. Read Mark 2:1-5
A. Describe what happened, making many observations to help yourself see more.
B. How do you think the man, the friends, and the crowd felt by the first thing Jesus says?
Why do you think that?
6. What stands out to you from what Keller writes about this passage? (Read up to “Going
Deeper’)
7. So often we are far more concerned about our physical problems than our spiritual problems.
We fail to truly mourn our sin, and therefore continue living with its oozing sores, bad odor,
and maiming effects. But if daily we come before Him and allow Him to search us, and truly
mourn how it hurts us, Him, and others, we will find the true joy of healing. Take time now,
either privately or publicly here, to mourn whatever He shows you. (Tomorrow I hope for some
healing reports from many of us!)
Thursday: Eustace and Aslan
In Chapter 3 of “King’s Cross,” Keller tells the story of Eustace from Lewis’ “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” Read what Keller writes.
8. How does this story illustrate both the pain of truly confessing and repenting of sin, but
also the joy and freedom that follows?
9. How has that happened for you either in the past or much more recently? Give thanks!
Friday: Deeper Still
10. Read Mark 2:6-12
A. Read carefully, describing the thoughts of some of the teachers and Jesus response.
B. What observations or questions do you have about this passage?
C. What do you think is the answer to Jesus’ question and why?
11. Read what Keller has to say under “Deeper Still” to the end of the chapter. What
stands out to you and why?
12. How have you experienced the Lord in your life in the last 24 hours?
Saturday: Reflecting
13. What particularly stands out to you from this week and why?
183 comments
8. How does this story illustrate both the pain of truly confessing and repenting of sin, but also the joy and freedom that follows? I love this story, I have literally read it over 100 times with my kids in their younger days.
Eustace has some success in shedding the outer shell of dragon but cannot free himself from it without the Lion or the painful process. To truly repent and be forgiven it must be cut away from us not merely scratched off by our own efforts. The dragon painfully cut away then reveals us as we truly were meant to be, as He created and called us. Though it is not usually (ever?) a one-time process like it was for Eustace. My sin has been cut away only to realize later that I have visited a different treasure pile I thought was fabulous and woke to another dragon skin… In the sense of saved…yes, one-time…in the sense of sanctification it is a continual and repeated event… I wonder if sometimes I come to the pool, scratch and jump in mistaking that for true repentance…I wonder if God ever cuts pieces away at a time for my besetting sins instead of all a once, is this mercy to spare me pain or refusal in my spirit to be truly changed….
9. How has that happened for you either in the past or much more recently? Give thanks! I have experienced a deep cut when I realized my Christianity was idolatry in the name of religion. Since then I have had an increasing awareness and smaller cuts when I repent of my arrogance, selfishness, and false piety… I give thanks to God for showing me how dragonish I still am in my heart (Eustace as a dragon began to repent and become aware of his awfulness before he was ever led to the pool and he was at the pool because he was selflessly removing himself from the adventure of his friends because a dragon would be a terrible burden on the journey). Perhaps deep cut is in my near future… God surely seems to be calling….
In Chapter 3 of “King’s Cross,” Keller tells the story of Eustace from Lewis’ “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” Read what Keller writes.
8. How does this story illustrate both the pain of truly confessing and repenting of sin, but
also the joy and freedom that follows?
Wow, I have never read any of Lewis’s books, except the Lion, the With and the Wardrobe. I like many of you shared, teared up reading this. I feel I need to read it again as well. It really stuck into my soul and heart. I feel like Eustace at times, I feel I am going through this right now, a season of shedding things that I have allowed in my life that were not God’s plan. ” And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything Ive ever felt….Well,he peeled the beastly stuff right off-just as I thought I’d done it myself the other three times, only they hadn’t hurt- ” I feel like the running in circles is me trying to fix or figure everything out, I have not let God truly in where He desires and wants to be. Me keeping this old nasty skin really does block God from entering into the places where I am weak, vulnerable and insecure, the places He wants to heal and set me free. I can relate to Eustace.
9. How has that happened for you either in the past or much more recently? Give thanks!
I am going through some of it now, and in the past before we moved here I went through some deep counseling. I thought I had been healed and let go of all the abuse from my childhood, but God began to show me I still had some really deep wounds to heal and let go of once and for all. I spent three months, in intense therapy sessions, some days were 8 hour days…but I shed a lot of hurt and anger in those three months. It was the most painful healing process I have ever endured. I jokingly said if I had known how painful it was going to be, I would have said no and ran the other way. But God wouldn’t let me. So I do resonate with Eustace a lot.
4. What stands out to you from what Keller writes about this passage in the beginning of chapter 3 of “King’s Cross?”
Jesus sees our suffering and pain, but He knows our greatest problem is not physical but spiritual. The main problem is never our suffering, it is our sin.Jesus always has the power to heal us, but He wants us to realize our greatest need for healing is in our hearts. We can become focused on a physical healing that if it were to come we may have some temporal relief, but it would never truly satisfy. The true healing that satisfies in the balm of His blood for our sin.
5. How has the Lord met you this week in His Word or in your life?
From our sermon Sunday and this weeks lesson, I have a renewed awareness of what I deserve as a sinner. My sin nature questions why the bad things happen, but in truth, I should question why He allows the good things. It is only by His mercy and grace that He holds back the unraveling of the world that our sin deserves. I may have shared this already, it’s been a continual thought lately, I used to have a default thinking that whatever hard that comes my way was in some way punishment. But now I know more clearly, it cannot be punishment because Christ paid it all, but also because if this were punishment, it’s not enough. My sin is worse.
3. Read Mark 1:40-45 out loud with expression in order to see more.
A. Describe what happened, making observations, imagining emotions.
A leper came to Jesus desperate, begging to be healed. He knows Jesus can heal him, if He is willing. Jesus is moved, touches the man and heals him. He tells him not to share the news with anyone, but the man cannot contain it. He told everyone he met what had happened.Because of this, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places, but people still came to Him from everywhere.
4. What stands out to you from this article and why?
“the disease which we today call leprosy generally begins with pain in certain areas of the body. Numbness follows.”–This sounds like a word picture for what sin does to our heart. We may experience some of the pain from the distance it cause between us and God, but at some point of continual sin, there becomes a dead-ness, and we are numb to its effects.
“Leprosy is a vivid and graphic physical picture of the spiritual defilement of sin. Sin is ugly, loathsome, incurable, and contaminating; it separates men from God and makes them outcasts.”
So good from Lizzy:
I used to have a default thinking that whatever hard that comes my way was in some way punishment. But now I know more clearly, it cannot be punishment because Christ paid it all, but also because if this were punishment, it’s not enough. My sin is worse.
In Chapter 3 of “King’s Cross,” Keller tells the story of Eustace from Lewis’ “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” Read what Keller writes.
8. How does this story illustrate both the pain of truly confessing and repenting of sin, but also the joy and freedom that follows? – He seems like he gets excited thinking he can get rid of the skin, but then realizes it’s not going away, layer after layer and he still can’t get rid of it and believes he will never be as he was before and will be alone forever. He realizes that he needs help and so he concedes to the Lion for help. This was not easy and it didn’t feel good, but it was a necessary step needed to be done in order to get back to being who he was created to be.
9. How has that happened for you either in the past or much more recently? Give thanks! – I have been struggling with a bad attitude and have no tolerance for some people, but I have been crying out to God for help to cleanse me from this unpleasing personality. I feel freer and more peaceful the last couple of days so I know that God is hearing me and with me. I am a work in progress, but definitely know that I need Him to help me continue to be a better me. Thank you Lord for always being with me, but also making me aware that I can do nothing without crying out to you.
I have times of struggling with “a bad attitude and no tolerance for some people”, too…Love that you have been crying out to God for help to cleanse you, Julie. I need to cry out,too-so true!
8.the Story of Eustace and Aslan: How does that relate to the pain of truly confessing and repenting?
Well, the process of looking at my sins and repenting is a hard task. It requires me to take an honest look and then to experience what the sins are really like. I have an image of myself as I hope to be, and I can go along believing that I am the good person I hope to be. It is discouraging to face the reality and see where I fall short of this ideal. In fact it brings shame to admit my failure. Though I can try to minimize these sins, they are ugly when admitted. It hurts to voice them to myself, and as Eustace said, “when he began pulling it hurt worse than anything I’ve ever felt.” The reality is that when Jesus forgives it does bring joy and freedom.
I have been drawn to the beautiful song, Wonderful, Merciful Savior. One of the lines is “You give the healing and grace our hearts always hunger for.” This is the real hunger of my heart- for the healing given by my Savior, Jesus. He is my Wonderful, merciful Savior!
How I love that song!
I was hoping today to give a praise report. As predicted I was put into the position by myself (I knew that I would be, it’s like a punishment) . On my way to work I was praying and telling the Lord that I’ll take whatever assignment is given me without complaint (or inward attitude) and let Him be in control. After all, compared to Joseph with Potipher’s wife or Daniel in the lion’s den what I was facing was nothing. It wasn’t my life or even my career on the line, just my petty pride.
As it turned out, everything went smoothly. I couldn’t have asked for an easier day. Praise God!!!
What I really need to take from this is that while today went smoothly, not every day will yet I still need to do what’s right and trust Him for the results.
Thank you to anyone who prayed for me, it wasn’t in vain. I know that it’s a trivial matter, but when I resort to trusting myself instead of trusting Christ it really is important. If I don’t trust Him in the small things how can I say that I trust Him with the big things (like my salvation)?
Yay, Dawn! So happy to hear that you had a smooth day…nothing is trivial when it comes to you; Jesus knows every hair on your head. Your work can please Him. Take care!
I’m so proud of you, Dawn!
So happy to read this, praise God for the day you had! God is so faithful and good!
Thanks for this report Dawn, I’ve been wondering how that day went!
10. Read Mark 2:6-12
A. Read carefully, describing the thoughts of some of the teachers and Jesus response.
The leaders thought, “who does he think he is? He is saying blasphemous things! Only a God can forgive sin!
Jesus asks them if is is easy to heal but harder to forgive sins? Then He tells them healing is easier because He says to the man, “get up and pick up your mat.”
When this happens, the people are amazed.
B. What observations or questions do you have about this passage?
Well, I think the drama comes in the person being healed; the forgiving of sins seems minimal in comparison. But, Keller says that the healing on the physical will fade as time goes by, whereas the sin being forgiven will last forever. The healing is a temporary fix of the physical, but the forgiveness is a long term fix of the soul.
I am still pondering suffering though. Why some people suffer so much and others not so much. Being a leper (based on the article we read) must have been just awful. My suffering with my family woes is nothing in comparison to constant pain and sickness as they had back then. Why must it be that way? I have friends who don’t seem to have suffered much at all in their lives. I lost my dad at the tender age of 13. I never got to have him walk me down the aisle, or know my kids. Yet, a friend from high school is married, wealthy, has two beautiful young adult girls who both went to college, blah, blah, blah….never a moment in her life that seems to have been suffering….it’s just weird to me and I don’t understand. I’m not jealous, I don’t want to be her. I just don’t get it.
C. What do you think is the answer to Jesus’ question and why?
The answer to the first question (why do you question in your hearts?) is that they don’t want to believe He is their Savior.
The answer to the second question (better to forgive or to heal?) is as I stated above, healing temporary but forgiveness is forever.
11. Read what Keller has to say under “Deeper Still” to the end of the chapter. What stands out to you and why?
We are building our identity on something other than Jesus. That thing consumes us. When we get it we are even more unhappy than before. It can’t fulfill our needs. Jesus says He will fulfill us and when we fail He will forgive.
Jesus is proclaiming to be God bu saying He forgives sins.
The question Jesus asks is puzzling to us (healing vs. forgiveness) and has been to scholars for a very long time.
Jesus knows that if He reveals Himself then He is on the path to death, for they will kill Him. Doing the healing AND the forgiveness marks Him.
We all need someone who can do more than just grant our wishes. We need someone who can go deeper. Someone to remove the ugly sin. It’s the only way we can get rid of the discontentment. That takes a Savior. We will have Him. This is what we have wanted all along but just didn’t know it.
12. How have you experienced the Lord in your life in the last 24 hours?
I began the Daniel fast last Monday. It is difficult for me because I love coffee! I also love other food/drink that I am depriving myself of for three weeks. You are only allowed water, nothing else. I am cleaning my physical body, but oh! How He is cleaning my soul. Each time I begin to falter, I remember I am working on being a better me for Him. He has met me many times this week and I’m thankful for that.
I doubt we will truly understand the question of suffering until we see Him face to face.
10. Read Mark 2:6-12
A. Read carefully, describing the thoughts of some of the teachers and Jesus’ response. I have found that copying the text into a journal has really helped me slow down and *see* the reading. The scribes are there in the house…I get the feeling like they are there to criticize and evaluate this new guy, not because they thirst for Truth. Like Christine Caine says, “ Heresy hunters.” Jesus doesn’t seem to change his actions or words to protect his image in their eyes. However, even though they are against him he is still concerned with their hearts …. why do you think that? Here let me show you who I am… he is not being arrogant (I don’t think), nor do I think he is doing it to save face, but to show Truth…to address their objection, their stumbling block to faith.
B. What observations or questions do you have about this passage? Why didn’t the man get up after his sins were forgiven? Was he not healed yet? Or was he healed and waiting for the conversation to allow him to stand? Why didn’t he stay with Jesus after he was healed?
C. What do you think is the answer to Jesus’ question and why? I do not know. I have always interpreted these two as being “the same” but articulated differently because Jesus implies that they will result in the same outcome. I have always thought it didn’t matter which he said because the man would be healed either way. So was his struggle because of sin? Some illness/sufferings are from sin (though not all for sure). Was this paralytic’s heart repentant of his error and so in his case to say you are forgiven or you are healed was the same? Maybe Christ was using this opportunity to show his power for miracles was coming from the same place as the power to forgive? The real question is did forgiving his sins heal him and he just didn’t get up? Or did he have his sins forgiven and then he was also healed?
11. Read what Keller has to say under “Deeper Still” to the end of the chapter. What stands out to you and why? That Christ was forgiving sins but not requiring a sacrifice from the recipient because He knew He would be the ultimate sacrifice.
”…we don’t need someone who can just grant our wishes. We need someone who can go deeper than that. Someone who will use his claws, lovingly and carefully, to pierce our self-centeredness and remove the sin that enslaves us and distorts even our beautiful longings. In short, we need to be forgiven.”
12. How have you experienced the Lord in your life in the last 24 hours? God has put conviction on my heart to be specific in praying for someone’s salvation. I didn’t know who…then I took a brave step (cuz I am a strong introvert!) and had a conversation in which an acquaintance implied they are “looking”… I think this is who I am supposed to be praying for and actively invest in friendship.
Jill — I love that you are writing out the text and asking so many questions. Truly seeking! Also how God showed you who you were praying for!
I am reading The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert and Rosaria Champagne Butterfield says this,
“…I learned something important. I learned the first rule of repentance: that repentance requires greater intimacy with God than with our sins. How much greater? About the size of a mustard seed. Repentance requires that we draw near to Jesus, no matter what. And sometimes we all have to crawl there on our hands and knees. Repentance is an intimate affair. And for many of us, intimacy with anything is a terrifying prospect.”
I know for me it is not necessarily the confession that is terrifying or inhibitory but the intimacy required… I don’t do well with intimacy and vulnerability. This just seemed applicable to our conversation this week…
This is a helpful quote, Jill. Thank you. I have been pondering repentance – what it is, how to explain it. I too am afraid of intimacy and vulnerability. This is why it is hard to repent. I think I would find Rosario’s book interesting and helpful.
I love this from Rosaria, thanks for sharing Jill “repentance requires greater intimacy with God than with our sins“
Friday
10. Read Mark 2:6-12
A. Read carefully, describing the thoughts of some of the teachers and Jesus response.
Their thoughts in response to Jesus saying “Son, your sins are forgiven” were questions of what He was saying, thinking it blasphemous because only God can forgive sins. Jesus immediately knew what they were thinking and questioned what was in their hearts. He asked them if it was easier to tell the paralyzed man ‘your sins are forgiven,’ or stand up and walk?’ So, to prove who He was and that He had authority to forgive sins, He healed the man.
B. What observations or questions do you have about this passage?
Did the teachers of the Law think that sins couldn’t be forgiven if there was no healing first? Was healing an outward sign of a changed heart? Since forgiveness of sins is an inward change were the teachers skeptical that it happened?
C. What do you think is the answer to Jesus’ question and why?
I think it’s easier to heal than say your sins are forgiven because healing is evident outwardly. Although, both can only be done by His authority.
11. Read what Keller has to say about “Deeper Still” to the end of the chapter. What stands out to you and why?
The shadow of the cross falls across Jesus’s path…if He not only heals this man but forgives his sins as well, He’s taking a decisive, irreversible step down the path to His death. This really answers the question Jesus asked and shows His sacrificial love and obedience to the Father.
12. How have you experienced the Lord in your life in the last 24 hours?
A couple of days to myself where I can reflect on this study… confession and repentance…feeling Him working in my life.
I always answered C that way too, Sharon. But I’m beginning to think the opposite, because of what it cost Jesus to forgive sins. Thoughts?
Oh Dee, my eyes are opened…I struggled so much with it!! I couldn’t get past the humanness of it. The price that He paid for sins, yes, so much harder!! Thank you!
5. Read Mark 2:1-5 A. Describe what happened, making many observations to help yourself see more.
To imagine the excitement, the rush within that people must have felt when they heard Jesus had come home! The urgency to get near Him, the crowds…they were desperate to hear His voice preach the Word to them…it’s overwhelming! I think about the four men, with their friend who was paralyzed. They must have been so excited to know that they could finally get healing for their friend! They knew all he needed was Jesus’ touch. There have been countless times over the last 5 years of knowing our Mary E. that I have wished I could do anything to really help her. But we do have that same access–through prayer. When Jesus saw their faith, he said “your sins are forgiven”. Jesus teaches us that no matter how bad our physical ailments, only our sin can truly kill us. Nothing can separate us from God except our sin. To be forgiven our sin, is the true, deeper healing our souls are desperate for.
B. How do you think the man, the friends, and the crowd felt by the first thing Jesus says? Why do you think that?
They may have been confused. Why would Jesus be talking about sin instead of the healing of his body.
6. What stands out to you from what Keller writes about this passage? (Read up to “Going Deeper’)
Jesus is not going to just heal our physical ailments and let us think we’ve gotten our deepest need met. He sees our suffering and He knows the main problem in our life is never just that, it is our sin.
8. How does this story illustrate both the pain of truly confessing and repenting of sin, but also the joy and freedom that follows?
Eustace tries but realizes he is incapable of fully removing his dragon scales.He thinks he is at first, but there is always more, the change is never permanent, he cannot save himself. He must allow Aslan to tear the scales off. It is more painful than anything he has ever experienced, but ultimately it gives him new life.
9. How has that happened for you either in the past or much more recently? Give thanks!
What comes to mind is a default cycle I have always had–trying to be “good”. A good wife, mom, employee…and when I mess up, the idol crumbles with me alongside. This past week I recognized an error I’d made at work–it was not entirely my fault, but a misunderstanding that affected someone else. I felt terrible about it. I prayed, my husband prayed…I fixed the mistake and was tempted to let it go at that but instead admitted it to my boss (who is my pastor)–and was met with complete grace. I felt such angst for 24 hours because I hate to “mess up” and relying on my own righteousness was failing me. But the grace and understanding I was met with was life-giving and I left with a lightened heart.
10. Read Mark 2:6-12 A. Read carefully, describing the thoughts of some of the teachers and Jesus response.
They are angry, jealous of His power. They accuse Him of blasphemy. Jesus knew what they were thinking and He challenges them to think. He asks-“is it easier to provide physical healing than to forgive sin?” Jesus has the authority to forgive sin.
B. What observations or questions do you have about this passage?
They seem more amazed at the physical healing than the forgiveness of sin. I think this can be my tendency too–to rejoice more in physical healing than the healing of my soul. The only sickness that can truly bring me death has been permanently healed when I trusted Christ.
C. What do you think is the answer to Jesus’ question and why?
I think both physical and spiritual healing come from God, but the forgiveness of sin is only provided for by Jesus on the Cross. It is the greatest cost.
11. Read what Keller has to say under “Deeper Still” to the end of the chapter. What stands out to you and why?
Jesus has the power and authority to give us exactly what we ask for. But He loves us too much. He knows that what we ask for is not deep enough to truly give us life. We need Him to use His claws, lovingly pierce through our self-centered-ness and carve out our sin. He knows our deepest need is Himself.
I can so see you in your answer to 9. Oh dear Lizzy.
Friday: Deeper Still
10. Read Mark 2:6-12
A. Read carefully, describing the thoughts of some of the teachers and Jesus response. – they were thinking why ‘this fellow’ was talking like he was and blaspheming. Jesus asked them why they were thinking those thoughts. And told them that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins. He then told the paralytic to get up and take his mat and go home.
B. What observations or questions do you have about this passage? – I just realized that this scripture is showing us that Jesus knows our thoughts. The teachers of the law were thinking the thoughts and didn’t actually say them. I never saw that before.
C. What do you think is the answer to Jesus’ question and why? – Well, after reading Keller’s book up to where we were yesterday, I think the true answer that will get him complete healing would be to forgive his sins first. If Jesus just heals him, the paralytic wouldn’t really be healed deep down in his heart. He would take his healing for granted I think. It would also show the authority that Jesus has over us.
11. Read what Keller has to say under “Deeper Still” to the end of the chapter. What stands out to you and why? – I am the only one to forgive a sin against me. This makes things look a bit different. But then Keller goes on to say that when Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic, that the only person who could say that to a human being is that person’s Creator. So how then does this apply to me? I thought it interesting that Keller points out that chapter 2 of Mark is already putting the shadow of the cross across Jesus’ path. To know this early in your life that you are destined for death, wow. I also really loved where he writes that we don’t need a person to just grant our wishes, but someone to claw at us lovingly and carefully to get down deep where our sin is hiding and just clinging on.
12. How have you experienced the Lord in your life in the last 24 hours? – I love how the Lord is opening my eyes and my heart to what truly is being said in His Word and finding peace in my heart. A calmness that I feel lately that before I was feeling agitated and not being very pleasant.
Love that about you seeing how Jesus sees our thoughts.
10.Some of the teachers thought that Jesus was blaspheming because only God can forgive sins.
Jesus knew in his spirit how they were questioning his words.
Yes, I am reminded that Jesus knows our heart’s attitude, perceiving the selfish motivations that we harbor.
Jesus then asks them, “Why do you question this? what is easier, to forgive, or to say, take up your bed and walk?”
The answer is hard because both seem difficult, requiring God’s power to do either.
11. Keller says, Any miracle worker can say, take up your bed and walk; it takes a Savior of the world to forgive sins.
Then he says, the shadow of the cross is already falling on Jesus’ path; eventually the leaders will seek to kill him.
He also says we need someone who goes beyond granting our wish, but who will use his claws lovingly to pierce our self-centeredness and remove the sin that ensnares us. This is so insightful. It really makes me think about this passage.
12. How have you experienced the Lord in your life in the last 24 hours? Well, I have had 2 phone conversations about a difficult
situation that I am facing. I have asked for prayers about a decision. I may be facing another time of opposition. My dear friend has encouraged me to address my fear. She said, God will be with you to do the right thing. I am so thankful that I have friends who lift me up in prayer. It does seem that fear is a sin that is ensnaring me. I am needing to focus on Jesus, and not resist the work he will do.
I will pray for your Shirley and your fear to flee in Jesus name. I will pray for God to guide and direct you with His peace as well.
thank you, Staci
10. Read Mark 2:6-12
A. Read carefully, describing the thoughts of some of the teachers and Jesus response.
B. What observations or questions do you have about this passage?
Jesus knew the teachers of the laws thoughts, Jesus question was interesting, I guess I had never really put much thought into what Jesus asked the teachers of the law. vs 9 “Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘your sins are forgiven’, or to say ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?”
C. What do you think is the answer to Jesus’ question and why?
I wasn’t sure, but when you truly think about it, no one can save people from sin BUT Jesus, he is the only one true savor of the world. So many other false religions try to do that and fail. To be healed of what this man had also is only something Jesus can do, but in the end, your salvation is more important. Your flesh will die with the earth, but your spirit goes to be with the Lord or hell…being saved from sins is more important.
11. Read what Keller has to say under “Deeper Still” to the end of the chapter. What
stands out to you and why? I like how Keller put the sin into a scenario with Tom, Dick and Harry. Keller pointed out the only person that could say to a human “your sins are forgiven” is Jesus himself. The sins were against Him. I loved Kellers statement ” If he not only heals this man but forgives his sins as well, he’s taking a decisive , irreversible step down the path to his death. By taking the step, he is putting a down payment on our forgiveness”….That spoke volumes to me. Jesus knew his fate, I could not imagine…
12. How have you experienced the Lord in your life in the last 24 hours?
I will try to keep this short, but for over a year now somewhere, my oldest daughter and I have not spoken. I truly feel it was an attack of the enemy and had many tell me the same. She is a Christian and serving God, but at the same time somewhere, the enemy came in and really distorted some things and my daughter believes some lies that are not true. I dont even know how to begin. But I will say its deeper than any hurt I have ever experienced. The words that came out of her mouth to me, vulgar and ugly, from your own child. A child I prayed for when I had 2 miscarriages, I prayed over when I was pregnant, that I almost bled to death giving birth to…the child that was promised from God. The pain was so bad I just wanted to die, It was hard to admit to my husband. I wanted to go to sleep and not wake up. Today my daughter called me, we have not had a decent conversation in over a year. It was nothing big, but she called me, a telemarketer scam had been trying to reach me through her phone number? CALL that odd…yes! So she reached out to my husband in Turkey, I said have her call me if she wants. To my surprise she called me. There was only one little snip at me and I didnt react. I ended the conversation first, as I had to drive to Boise today for an appointment, but I said I loved her and she said the same to me. I felt this heavy weight lift off my chest…and I said to God, well it’s a start. You have no idea how many days I have prayed and cried with a crushed heart from her hurtful words and text. So much, I wanted to die. I knew it was the enemy, but it still did not take the pain away. I had only Jesus to cling to during these tough times. He met me ,and maybe the pain didnt go away immediately, but He met me and I know Jesus was there. Fast foward to today as I am driving to Boise, I ask God did you want us to put New Mexico on our list, that base is available where our daughter lives. Both my husband and I have no desire to go there, too much crime. Also my husband said, he is under qualified for that job. The thing is, my husband knows this job, just doesnt know all of it, and he is a very humble guy that people would put him in that job because of his great work ethics. I said well, you never know, God is bigger. Then the very last day to turn in his wish list for our next assignment was TODAY. I said to God driving, I dont want to go there, but if you want us to change our list and put it down, we will, BUT I am not telling my husband to do that, my husband had already done the list and its as well past midnight there. My husband just happen to get called into work for something at midnight over there, I told him about me talking to our daughter, nothing more. My husband text me back and says he thinks maybe God wants him to put New Mexico base down, maybe this being the last day(it was still daytime here), our daughter calling and him getting called into work at midnight was God saying…trust me…so my husband put it down. As his LAST pick, and he is under qualified, so if we get the assignment…we will know it was God. I said I cant be mad for something we didnt get, versus what God wanted to give us… a chance to heal our relationship with our daughter. This is a big God moment, we will know in March where the Air Force is sending us in August. We trust God 100%.
Huge answer to prayer that seems so evident God orchestrated. Good for you for not reacting to the snip. Will pray this is the start of healing! I don’t think there is anything more hurtful than this kind of fissure with your own child.
I will pray for the ‘start of healing’ too Staci, wherever you end up being sent. Thank you for sharing all of this!
Oh, Staci. This is so hard. I have experienced deep family hurt similar and the pain is excruciating. Like Dee says, probably the hardest ever. Yet, you see God at work. I will pray that healing will occur and that if it is his will that you can move closer to your daughter.
Oh my gosh Staci!!! This is AMAZING! I love your story and heart. My best friend lives in Las Cruces! I need to put you in touch with her…are you talking about White Sands? It’s not far from Cruces and it’s a wonderful place to live. I’ve been there many times and love it! I would love to chat…are you on our fb page? Or can we email? I could ask Dee to give you my email ♥️. So hoping this is exactly what God has in store for you!! Love you sister!
Thank you Laura, no we won’t be near Cruces, we would be in Albuquerque. I do have friends in Alamgordo though. We are just hoping and praying for God’s will to be done. I get emotional thinking about my daughter and wanting to talk to her, but not wanting to push with her right now. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Staci, this is a beautiful post. I know how difficult it is when a daughter or son have not spoken over some perceived hurt. It has happened to me. Only God knows our need and does orchestrate in beautiful, and surprising ways. May you continue to trust Him to take you to the right place for the next assignment. Prayers for this relationship to heal.
Wednesday: Healing the Body and Soul
5. Read Mark 2:1-5
A. Describe what happened, making many observations to help yourself see more.
I wonder if Jesus had been living in Capernaum, because the text says that after he went back there, news quickly spread that “he was back home”. The house where he was staying soon was packed with visitors; so full that there was no more room, even outside the door. Jesus was talking to the people about God and His Word. When the four men arrived carrying their paralyzed friend on a mat, they couldn’t find a way to get in, so they had to go up on the roof and dig a hole through it. After they lowered their friend down in front of Jesus, it says that Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven.
B. How do you think the man, the friends, and the crowd felt by the first thing Jesus says? Why do you think that?
Maybe a bit stunned and confused? Dismayed? Jesus had been healing people and the word had spread, so this man and his friends were counting on Jesus to heal in this situation. Maybe the paralyzed man’s heart sank just a bit. Disappointment. This statement was not what they expected to hear.
6. What stands out to you from what Keller writes about this passage?
Keller puts this story in a modern context, saying that if this were to happen today, the man might say, “Um, thanks, but that’s not what I asked for. I’m paralyzed. I’ve got a more immediate problem here.” But Jesus knows that our main problem is not our suffering, or what’s happened to us, or what others have done to us – it is our sin that is our main problem. And sin is not just lust or lying, but “it is ignoring God in the world He has made; it’s rebelling against Him by living without reference to Him.” When we come to Jesus thinking that something other than sin is our main problem, like this man thinking that if only he could walk again, it would make him profoundly and eternally happy, we are mistaken because “the roots of the discontent of the human heart go deep.” The article cited by Keller that was about struggling would-be actors, once they “made it” and became successful, and how they were actually worse-off than before, proves that point. Because despite their success and fame, “they were still them”. This line is memorable, too, “I think when God wants to play a really rotten practical joke on you, he grants your deepest wish.” Jesus does not play rotten jokes on us.
Susan — I too loved this from Keller:
Keller puts this story in a modern context, saying that if this were to happen today, the man might say, “Um, thanks, but that’s not what I asked for. I’m paralyzed. I’ve got a more immediate problem here.”
Dee, Thank you for providing this format. I stumbled on to this blog six and a half years ago. Not as involved in commenting as I was for the first three or four years, but I am here in the shadows following along in Mark. Keller’s commentary is so helpful.
Jill, I resonated with your words about Eustace: “I give thanks to God for showing me how dragonish I still am in my heart. ” Also, thank you for posting about Rosario Butterfield and her observation about repentance: “…I learned something important. I learned the first rule of repentance: that repentance requires greater intimacy with God than with our sins. How much greater? About the size of a mustard seed. Repentance requires that we draw near to Jesus, no matter what. And sometimes we all have to crawl there on our hands and knees. Repentance is an intimate affair. And for many of us, intimacy with anything is a terrifying prospect.”
This may have already been mentioned here and I missed it. But there is a wonderful and free resource available through “The Bible Project” which is endorsed by The Gospel Coalition. Here is a link to some of their wonderfully created video summaries of books of the Bible and biblical concepts. If you scroll down, you come to the New Testament and will find the Book of Mark. Very helpful summary of the entire book and its purpose:
https://thebibleproject.com/explore/
Thanks so much, Nila — wonderful resource!
B. What observations or questions do you have about this passage?
It struck me that the text says that they were ALL amazed, all includes those who questioned Jesus. Being amazed and seeing miracles wasn’t enough to soften some hearts.
C. What do you think is the answer to Jesus’ question and why?
I guess I am okay with having this be a mystery 🙂
11. Read what Keller has to say under “Deeper Still” to the end of the chapter. What stands out to you and why?I have heard this teaching from Keller before, that Jesus was asserting his deity and that all sin is against God first and foremost. The idea that all sin is against God has been immensely helpful to me. It helps me gain perspective. The Lord has allowed some really difficult things to be part of my story. To realize that he is more deeply wronged by sin than I ever am…I cannot articulate how much this has helped me. And that my own sin is against him, that he bore the cost to redeem me, this causes me to not want to grieve him.
12. How have you experienced the Lord in your life in the last 24 hours?
I woke up today with a terrible headache, I am grateful this didn’t happen yesterday as it was a very busy day at work and I had multiple computer issues which disrupt the whole office and are my job to resolve. I have been praying that I can do my job without grumbling or complaining, I wasn’t perfect in this yesterday, but I felt less crazy than I have in the past under similar circumstances. I was really grateful for that.
This week the Lord is showing me to seek Him first. To stop worrying about how somebody else is doing things even if it’s wrong. I have been humbled this week and I am very thankful.
What a good attitude, Jennifer!
13. What particularly stands out to you from this week and why?
A lot stood out for me this week, especially Jesus love. I know he loves us and I do sense his love, but this week really showed me a deeper love. By Jesus not granting us what we want. Keller summed it up in his last page 38, “we need someone who can go deeper than just granting our wish. Someone who will use his claws, lovingly and carefully, to pierce our self-centeredness and remove the sin that enslaves us and distorts even our beautiful longings. In short, we need to be forgiven…we needed a Savior and that person is Jesus. ” This is really causing me to examine some things in my own life, my quick will to judge, when I am not the judge, He is, my quick temper at times, and just to look within and help me to rid the sin and be honest before Jesus. For he sees it anyways….with or without my acknowledging of the sin. He is waiting on me, lovingly and willingly saying ‘I am He, that can heal you and set you free’. My quick response is to always react when I feel wronged or I know that I am right, Lord help me just be quick to listen and slow to speak and to have wisdom to let some things go, it doesnt always matter. In the end who you say I am and that I am right before you is all that matters.
10. Read Mark 2:6-12
A. Read carefully, describing the thoughts of some of the teachers and Jesus response.
The teachers thought Jesus was blasphemous. By saying He was forgiving sins, He was claiming to be God.
Jesus calls them on their thoughts. He wonders about their hearts. He asks them if it’s easier to heal someone or to forgive their sins.
B. What observations or questions do you have about this passage?
I wonder what the crowd was thinking? Did they feel like the teachers, or were they swayed by them?
C. What do you think is the answer to Jesus’ question and why?
Well, on the surface it seems that forgiving sins is easier, not healing. But Jesus alludes to the healing being a simple temporary fix, whereas the forgiving of sins is more permanent.
11. Read what Keller has to say under “Deeper Still” to the end of the chapter. What stands out to you and why?
We are building our identity on something other than Jesus. Idols, yuck.
We think our deepest desire will be our savior and when it isn’t the disappointment is terrible. I have felt this before. It is so true.
Jesus will fulfill us and forgive us when we do wrong. He is always with me. It is a comfort.
Just like Eustace, who couldn’t save himself, we can’t save ourselves. We need a Savior. One who will strip us and make us clean. It may hurt some but in the end we are better than before. We are bound up in ourselves until we let Him into our lives completely. I have felt this also and it is sweet!
Jesus claims to be God and the religious leaders believe He is being irreverent and blasphemous. They are right. There is a point where Jesus needs to wake people up from their slumber. He is trying to make sure they are listening to Him.
You can only forgive a sin if it’s against you. I think this is true. Otherwise you are the Messiah.
Which is easier? To forgive sin or to heal someone’s affliction? Scholars for many years have been puzzled by this questioning. Jesus shows He is God by doing both; forgiving sins AND healing. I think, for the average person, both are hard and healing might be impossible.
Jesus knows that by making the claims He is making means they will kill Him. He knows what will happen and accepts it. Sometimes we too, have situations that we know might end up with us suffering. I have two of these types of situations I am up against right now. I am avoiding one (ugh) and working through the other and not feeling that great about it and how it is playing out. I am going to feel some pain no matter what, I just know.
Jesus knows that He could give us our deepest desires but what we really need is to claw off the ugly and accept The Savior. I LOVE this analogy of Eustace and Aslan. Such imagery! I’m going to go read the book now 😉.
12. How have you experienced the Lord in your life in the last 24 hours?
Oh my, God is so good. my husband is feeling like he might lose his job. He is seeing many get laid off in the company. He is kind of depressed because it really has been a good setup for us. Today I got an email from the director at the community college where I teach an online course and she wants me to teach another section of it. It is going to be a challenge, but here He is again….showing us just how she holds us. Thank You Lord! I am speechless…tears!
He is providing — but I will pray your husband is not laid off unless God has something better for him.
That should say “He” not “she.”
What stands out for me this week? My need: for his forgiveness, my inability to change on my own. The weight and the sin that clings so closely… but thanks be to God for his compassion on me and the forgiveness through Jesus suffering and dying for me. The symbol of the hand reaching out, with compassion.
The physical healing is desirable, but the spiritual need is greater.
It is Saturday and am glad I can get back in here after a whirlwind week of preparing for a trip to see our daughter, Ruth in Seattle. Some of you may know that the trip did not materialize as KCI airport was shut down (we were already inside the airport) after management realized the runways are not fit for landing anymore. I came out of that experience deeply disappointed and wondering why God did not answer my prayers for a safe flight and almost especially gave us time with our daughter whom I have not seen for 10 months? It sounds so petty and childish now after a day of rest and time in the Word but I couldn’t get out of my funk then.
But our faithful God did not leave me in the pit of self-pity. He reminded me of His care while we traveled the icy roads, intervened during stressful moments, and provided a valuable opportunity for my husband and I to go through this hard time together. He brought verses to mind about His sovereignty and opened my eyes to truths through the reading of Mark 2, thoughtful questions here by Dee and Keller’s book.
I need Jesus to heal my wayward heart. He revealed a part of me that is again still operating on the idol of works. If I do this or that, then God will make things smooth for me (good weather and flight, good time with our daughter, great surprises along the way, etc.) But everything did not work the way I envisioned it to be! I took it as He is not pleased with me. Oh, wretched woman, I am!
Lord, forgive me for my petty attitude. I am so prone to wander and to question your love for me. Help me focus on the cross. There is nothing that you have withheld from me, including your very life so that I would have eternal life and joy while on this side of Heaven. Thank you for loving me despite myself. Thank you that you want to go deeper with me and reveal what I really need is yourself.
What stands out to me is the leprosy disease and how people must have felt; desperate I’m guessing. When the leper was forgiven AND healed by Jesus he must have felt so free! It reminds me that my ugliness can also be forgiven and healed. Thank You Lord.
Thank you for having put this bible study online.