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3. Who Needs a Doctor?. Mark 1:40 – 2:17 p. 923-4. An Enigma. Kingdom counter to human intuition & expectation Turn towards centre of the story: Jesus (an enigma) Know almost nothing about him personally Who establishes a Kingdom by being killed? A clash of Kingdoms & A devastating weapon.
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3. Who Needs a Doctor? Mark 1:40 – 2:17 p. 923-4
An Enigma • Kingdom counter to human intuition & expectation • Turn towards centre of the story: Jesus (an enigma) • Know almost nothing about him personally • Who establishes a Kingdom by being killed? • A clash of Kingdoms & A devastating weapon
1. A Clash of Kingdoms • Demon: “Have you come to destroy us? (1:24) • Have limited knowledge and power • “Yes. I have come to destroy the principalities • The story of the Leper • If you are willing, you can make me clean”
1. A Clash of Kingdoms . . . • Jesus’ response: “Fury” • Scribes soon changed it to “had compassion” • Jesus was flaming mad. He was livid. ... at the Leper’s suffering !!! • Lepers were driven out. (Lev 13:45-46) • They were unclean. (Lev 13 – 14) • They could make others unclean (Num 19:22)
1. A Clash of Kingdoms . . . • Jesus’ response: • Jesus touched the man “I am willing. Be clean” (v 41) • A major reversal: • The touch of the King works the opposite way • He spreads cleanness. • “Have you come to destroy us?” YES !
2. The Secret Anti-Weapon • The paralytic: lowered through the roof • Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven” (2:5) • ONLY GOD CAN FORGIVE SINS ! • Which is easier to say ... You’re forgiven” , or, “Walk” • “You’re forgiven” because no-one can tell if it’s true • BUT so that you know I have authority to forgive sins – WALK !
2. The Secret Anti-Weapon… • Authority over demons • Authority over disease and disability • Authority to forgive sins • A triple barreled, rocket-launching, anti-weapon ! • “Have you come to destroy us?” YES !!!
3. Sinner at the Centre • Levi (Matthew) the tax-collector. • Awful, sinful, heartless • “Follow me” • “Your sins are forgiven” • Why does he eat with tax-collectors & sinners? • Because they are sinners.
3. Sinner at the Centre . . . • God is Holy, Good, Righteous • He is also a Seeking, Saving, Forgiving God. • Jesus is the doctor (Healer). We are the patients.
Who Needs a Doctor? • We need his touch to spread his cleanness to us. • Jesus can set us free: • “I am willing. Be clean” • My child, your sins are forgiven” • “I have come to rescue you” • “Follow me”