1. The Early Ministry & Selection of Disciples
Lesson 6

2. Jesus response: “Moved with compassion.”
Matthew 8:2-4
Mark 1:40-45
Luke 5:12-16
Jesus Heals a Leper
The attitude of the leper: “If You are willing, You can make me clean!”
Willing – an active determination.
Jesus response: “Moved with compassion.”
Compassion is an attribute of God. Exodus 34:6; 2 Chronicles 30:9; James 5:11
Compassion for man’s physical needs. Matthew 15:32
Compassion for man’s lack of understanding, direction and purpose. Mark 6:34

3. What the (former) leper did
Matthew 8:2-4
Mark 1:40-45
Luke 5:12-16
Jesus Heals a Leper
Jesus’ instructions
Say nothing (why?)
Go show yourself to the priest. (why?)
What the (former) leper did
“began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around.”
The result
Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city but stayed in unpopulated areas.

4. Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
Matthew 9:2-8
Mark 2:1-12
Luke 5:17-26
Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
Back in Capernaum (Matthew 9:1; “His own city”), as in Mark 1:32, the whole city is gathered, and there is “no room.”
Who is part of this audience?
Pharisees and teachers of the Law from every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. (Luke 5:17)
What interaction had Jesus had thus far with the Pharisees? (John 3:1; 4:1)
Jesus was “speaking the word to them” (Mark 2:2; cf. Mark 1:14-15; 38-39) and “the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing” (Luke 5:17).

5. Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
Matthew 9:2-8
Mark 2:1-12
Luke 5:17-26
Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
Four men come carrying a young paralytic to Jesus and can’t get to Him via the door. They climb on the roof, “removed the roof above Him” (via digging) and let down the paralytic through the opening in front of Jesus.
“… Vincent’s description of ancient roofs in Palestine as a “composition of mortar, tar, ashes, and sand” which “is spread upon the roofs, and rolled hard” (94). Likely they had to dig through the mortar and tar to clay tiles, which were then lifted up to make an opening large enough to let down the bed wherein the sick of palsy lay.” (Commentary by Stauffer)

6. Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
Matthew 9:2-8
Mark 2:1-12
Luke 5:17-26
Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
“Seeing their faith” –
Whose faith did He see and what exactly did Jesus see?
A working faith! James 2:18, “… I will show you my faith …”
Was faith necessary for Jesus to heal?
What type of healing took place? John 8:24

7. Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
Matthew 9:2-8
Mark 2:1-12
Luke 5:17-26
Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
Physical healing did not demand faith. Spiritual healing did. John 8:24
What was/is a common (mistaken) belief regarding physical suffering and sin? John 9:2, 34. Commonly associated together – physical and spiritual healing. Psalms 25:18; 103:3.

8. Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
Matthew 9:2-8
Mark 2:1-12
Luke 5:17-26
Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum
Jesus pronounced, “your sins are forgiven you.” Where else did Jesus pronounce forgiveness upon earth?
Luke 7:47-48
The Scribes and Pharisees accurately recognized sins can only be forgiven by God. (Luke 5:21) Why?
Jesus “aware of their reasonings (“thinking evil”; Matthew 9:4) … ‘why are you reasoning in your hearts’” (Luke 5:22-23)
“In order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins … rise, take up your pallet and go home.” (Mark 2:10)
But He also knew men’s hearts because of His wonderful Divine knowledge and insight (see Ps. 139; Luke 2:35; 6:8; 9:47; 24:38; John 2:24-25; Heb. 4:13).