MARK 2:1-12 THEIR FAITH In my walk with the Lord through the Gospel of Mark, I was reminded of the fact that even though Capernaum was a dark city interested mainly with what miracles Jesus was doing, He came back again and again. There are those people God has in mind to save. We don't know who they are and how God will reach them. Our responsibility is to remain where God would have us until He plainly shows us it is time to leave for good.
One needy man wasn't reached by God's grace the first time Jesus was in Capernaum. Even while the Lord was having a teaching meeting and was unfolding the truth of the scriptures in His crowded home, others who were late in coming, were seeking Him for a different reason. When I become aware of another person's need spiritually and physically, I need to move to meet that need. It may be that others also are aware of the same need and are waiting for someone else to take action. What we all may be able to see as a need in our eyes, may not be the basic fundamental problem. The care and urgency of a few people may open the way for the Lord Jesus to act on their behalf way beyond our expectations. These men let the paralytic man down through the roof for healing. The Lord went right to the root of the problem first. "Man looks on the outward appearance; God looks on the heart."
The Lord Jesus Christ had been teaching the word. Now He illustrates the word He had been teaching. There has to be an acknowledging of need first. Then we must seek Him with urgency and all our heart. That is repentance. God recognizes faith whether it is great or small. He does forgive sins and He alone can forgive sins. Evidence of His forgiveness is seen afterwards. "The Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins," isn't referring to a future time but immediately upon the exercise of faith in Christ, forgiveness is granted.
There will always be those who criticize a work for the Lord that earnest Christians seek to do. Some will say it is too little; others will say it is too much. Some will say we are doing the work of God wrong; others will tell you to wait. Some will think you preach too long and others will say you didn't speak long enough. We can't allow the criticisms or disagreements of others to direct our service for God. Our work is to be done in the fear of the Lord and for His glory alone. If we do what God's will is, then we can leave the results with Him confidently and we don't have to worry about what others have to say.
There have been times in the past and doubtless will further be Those who don't like what we do nor with our methods agree As we seek to reach those who still in sin and darkness lie And may not even have heard that Jesus is passing by.
So it is up to me and to others who teach and preach, To find them and tell them the Gospel, so they may reach In faith to the Savior for forgiveness of sins - And when God saves them, a whole new life begins.
The Lord Jesus knows what faith is and where it is placed. Whether in a person's own works or in Him and His saving grace. He is able to declare plainly when the seeking sinner is forgiven - And the healing of the soul is obvious when one starts for heaven.
Others looking on in smugness and self-complacency, May look on with jaundiced eyes and comment critically. Those words and those kinds of people are deliberately blind - And will never be saved until in true repentance, they change their mind.
There is no problem to tell when a real work of God Is done in one's soul, they have the assurance of the Word, And though they look the same on the outside, the change within Is what gives the confidence they have been forgiven of their sin.
When one walks toward home after meeting the Savior, Often those they meet on the way will see the change of behavior. They will know by expressions and words that we speak, Something real has happened to those who the Savior meet.
It may be, they will understand that they too need forgiveness of sins, And the Savior is waiting for them to be brought to Him. When I realize that person has a real felt need - May I always be ready the call of the Savior to heed.
"Father, there have been those calls from time to time that lead me to know Thy will. Give me the understanding, I pray, as to how best act on behalf of those in need. I confess I generally look only on the outward appearance. Thou who dost know the hearts of all men; please guide Thy servant in the work that I do, that it may be done always in fellowship with Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."