A  Consideration of  Mark 2:1-12
 

As surprising at it may sound, Jesus doesn’t always get into the house.  Indeed, there are some houses where the door is shut in His face (Revelation 3:20).  Other times, our Lord comes uninvited (Luke 24:36), but He will always accept an invitation to come in (Luke 24:29).  As air rushes into to fill an empty space, so does the grace of Christ press in at every opening in our hearts.  Consider the following—

1.  Jesus condescends to come into the house, verse 1.  The mighty God, creator of all there is, seeks an entrance into our hearts that we might “sup with Him.  “Behold I stand at the door and knock,” says the Lord.  The prophet Isaiah wrote the amazing words that God, who “dwells in a high and holy place” desires to live with one who is humble and contrite.  Why?  To revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:17).  He who was laid in a manger will never pass by the poor and needy in spirit!

2.  Jesus fills the house when He comes in, verse 2.  When Jesus enters in, there is no need for any other worldly entertainments.  When He comes in, He brings with Him a great company of new friends.  When the glory came into the temple it filled the entire house.  He who has the fullness of the Godhead can surely fill up every desire and longing of the human heart.  We can, and should be, filled with the fullness of God!

3.  When Jesus is in the house, His presence cannot be hid, verse 1.  Try as you might, you cannot separate the influence from the presence of Christ any more than we can have the rose without its fragrance, gold without color or the sun without light.  If Christ dwells in our hearts then the love of Christ will flow out. 

4.  Those who come to Jesus may face challenges, verse 4.  Notice there was a crowd of “hearers” around the door.  “Hearers” often stand in the way of genuine “seekers.”  Some are so stiff and selfish that they will not move an inch out their old, worn out ruts to allow a sinner to get to Christ.  They are always in their pew on a Sunday, yet never lift a finger to save a soul.  They will not enter themselves, and make it difficult for those who want to.

5.  Those who bring others to Jesus must not be afraid of new methods, verse 4.  If you can’t get them in as others have come, find another way!  Come down through the roof!  If they don’t understand the word “believe,” then try “come.”  If they will not come in then you go out to them.  You may be mocked by some; some may call you a roof-wrecking fanatic, but what does it matter if a soul is saved?

6.  Some will never come to Christ unless they are brought, verse 3.  It the sick man had not been brought to Jesus, he certainly would never have been healed by Him.  It takes four to bring a sinner to Jesus: 

1. The law of God;
2. The Spirit of God;
3. The Word of God; and
4. The servant of God.

7.  When a person is wanting salvation, they will not be ashamed to be helped.  How often are people embarrassed when we share our faith with them?  We witness to people and they blush and fidget.  Other times, though, in the providence of God, we have one like the man from Ethiopia (Acts 8:31) who was glad for direction because his soul was in great need.  The same is true of the jailer in Acts 16:30.

8.  When a person is healed his life will show it, verse 12.  Nobody can remain the same after they have come into contact with Jesus Christ.  The sun will soften or harden; revive or wither.  The bed on his back was evidence that a great change had occurred.  All whose sins have been forgiven should glorify God in their body.

9.  Christ is all sufficient for those who come to Him.  He was all sufficient for the sick and paralyzed, all sufficient for the faith of those who brought him, all sufficient to read the hearts of the onlookers. 

• And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor. 9:8)
• All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)

Is Jesus in your house?