"He was speaking the message to them" (Mark 2:3) - and there were
"signs following" (Mark 16:17). Preaching and miracles: we see this
pattern in Mark 1 - preaching (Mark 1:14-20), miracles (Mark
1:21-34,40-45). In Mark 1:39, we see both - preaching and miracles.
Along with preaching and miracles, there is prayer (Mark 1:35). In Mark
2, there is forgiveness of sins (Mark 2:5) and healing for the paralyzed
man (Mark 2:11-12). Notice which comes first - forgiveness. Jesus is
saying, 'This is about more than the legs.' What is He saying to us? We
need more than physical health. "So long as you have your health" - This
isn't the full story. We need to have our sins forgiven. Only Jesus can
do this for us.
When we read about the call of Matthew, known
before his conversion as Levi (Mark 2:13-14), we learn about how life
can be turned around by Jesus.
Levi, Evil, Live
The
story of Levi is to become our story. Like Levi, we are evil. Like Levi,
we have begun to live. Through faith in Christ, we have stepped out of
our old life and into His new life.
Jesus came to call sinners
(Mark 2:17). Sinners - That's what we are. We must not pretend that we
are "righteous" (Mark 2:17). We're not. We must not say, "I have not
sinned. I don't need to be saved." We must confess our sins, and receive
God's forgiveness.
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