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Jesus came to demonstrate that the Good News of God is true…this gospel is where lostness, sins, sickness, and salvation intersect.

5 Gospel lessons learned from Jesus when great spiritual need collides with great physical need.

1. God rewards risk and effort—it demonstrates great confidence in Jesus (2:1-5a)

“When Jesus saw their faith…”

2. Jesus makes the proclamation of God’s Word and the need of forgiveness his primary mission in a world of great spiritual need (1:38; 2:5b)

“Son, your sins are forgiven.”

3. The eyes will no longer see what one’s faith has given up on (2:6-8)The eyes will no longer see what one’s faith has given up on (2:6-8) Beware of religion that has become its own authority—bypassing Jesus is fatal

• If Jesus can forgive sins (Ex. 34:6-7; Is. 33:22,24)

• If what Jesus proclaims occurs… (Dt. 18:22)

• If Jesus can heal diseases and injuries (Is. 29:18,19; 35:5,6; 61:1,2)

• If Jesus can discern thoughts (clairvoyance) (1 Sam. 16:7; Ps. 139:1-2; Jer. 11:20; 17:9-10)

• … THEN Jesus possesses the same capabilities of the God of the Bible and those who deny him are the blasphemers!

4. In a world of great physical need, Jesus makes a connection between sin and sickness and therefore evangelism and loving compassion (2:9-11; Jas. 5:14-16; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

• All sickness is connected to sin, either directly to the person or indirectly to our connection to this fallen world

• A person is never really well until it is well with their soul.

• Physical challenges and sickness are also employed as agents of God’s agenda for us (Jn. 9:1-3; 2 Cor. 12:7-9).

• We ought to connect the power for healing more to God and therefore prayer and less to individuals or as a last resort if medicine fails.

5. Faith is rewarded by obedience (2:12)

“I tell you, get up, take your mat, and go home.”

FORGIVENESS AND RELEASE FROM SUFFERING ARE FOUND IN JESUS ALONE—all other choices are fantasy and illogic and temporary relief at best.

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