The Gospel of Mark

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Thoughts on Mark 1:6-8...

John's appearance called attention to his message, especially as Judea's people were familiar with the description which the Old Testament gives of Elijah.

He wore a garment woven of camel's hair and a leather girdle. He ate locusts and wild honey.

And now it appears that the prophet's message, followed by baptism unto forgiveness, was all preparatory to the most characteristic' preaching, that concerning Jesus.

He that's stronger, that has more power than I, is coming after me, is even now ready to be revealed before you. John doesn't feel himself worthy to stoop down before this greater man and unloose his sandals' straps. That was humility, such as is found in all those that are serving God. This man will baptize you with the Spirit. And this in contrast to John's baptism with water.

The significant part of Christ's ministry and work for humanity is the baptism with the Spirit. The Spirit lives in the hearts of Christians. And her presence's evidence is never wanting, if the Christian make diligent use of grace's means, through which the Spirit is communicated to them.

There'll be a growth in grace and knowledge of Christ, cheerfulness in the midst of the distresses of these latter days and the willingness to serve God in God's kingdom.
 
Redbaron ----your quote ------ In vv. 1-12, there is also a hint of a picture of resurrection-- a man is lowered through a hole, like a corpse; yet the same person emerges from the doorway with a new life. Is this a sort of prologue to the rest of the gospel?

unsafe says -----that may be your own reasoning ------to be resurrected you need to be dead ------and this man was not dead ------this is all about Faith in who Jesus was and the confidence they has to pursue getting to Jesus as they knew He could Heal them -----many had already witnessed the healing of the Leper and knew that Jesus could heal -----this is all about Great Faith --Confidence and Trust in God ---these men were willing to do whatever it took to get this man to Jesus ---Jesus saw their Faith and welcomed the men not minding that they were destroying the roof ------

unsafe says ---there is no indication that this passage has anything to do with showing anything about being resurrected -------

This man had to be forgiven of his sin before he could be healed -----and this is significant for healing back then and now ------


unsafe says ---here is something that needs to be known about manifesting Faith ---Faith needs the right response -----Faith requires right action ----the men had the faith that Jesus would heal ----then they put that faith into action by getting that man to Jesus anyway they could ------that is what James is talking about when he says Faith without action is dead ----

We can have all the Faith we want but if we don't act on it--- it remains non active ------and of no benefit ------Faith needs a positive response and the men put their Faith with the right response and Got the man to Jesus ------

unsafe posting here

Mark 2 (AMP)
The Paralytic Healed
2 Jesus returned to Capernaum, and a few days later the news went out that He was at home. 2 So many people gathered together that there was no longer room [for them], not even near the door; and Jesus was discussing with them the word [of God]. 3 Then they came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four men. 4 When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him],He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has the authority and power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man, 11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your mat and go home.”


unsafe says
---Sins forgiven first ---then healing --------and that is the way it is today --------
 
Reasons are logical process --- the great god LOGOS ... often missed by the staunch as logos evolves ...

One may encounter the Lo' Gos in the humble fall ... devil of a thing for those believing elite is the best power ... thus misty essences ... of the minas aspect ... admiring what's out and up there as targets ... like David and Michael playing war games ... daedalus activity ...

Thus canaans and biguns are buried ... entrenched ... plough 'Din ... deep dimensions?
 
Just to go back a bit in the discussion, does making the house in Capernaum the residence of Jesus change up the story at all? Here He is in His own home which is so crowded no one can get in and out the door. Unable to gain easy access, the four men and the paralytic come in through the roof. This is pretty intense. Does Jesus teach and heal 24/ 7 as we say today? Does He rest on the Sabbath?

More about Sabbath observance coming up at the end of Mark 2.
 
Just to go back a bit in the discussion, does making the house in Capernaum the residence of Jesus change up the story at all? Here He is in His own home which is so crowded no one can get in and out the door. Unable to gain easy access, the four men and the paralytic come in through the roof. This is pretty intense. Does Jesus teach and heal 24/ 7 as we say today? Does He rest on the Sabbath?

More about Sabbath observance coming up at the end of Mark 2.

It does signify them bringing the man to him rather than him to the man. Perhaps that could add to the myth in some way. Worth contemplating.
 
Thoughts on Mark 2:1-2

Mark here skips a part of the gospel-story which other missionaries tell, in harmony with his purpose to stress Jesus' miracles and power.

Jesus had, in the meantime, completed his first journey through Galilee, and had also been to the other side of Galilee's Sea.

It was after some days that Jesus came again to Capernaum. As soon as he'd arrived, his return's report was spread. Soon the whole city knew that he was back home.

It was not long before many people gathered. They came flocking such that it was impossible to find any more room for additional visitors, much less on the inside.

And he spoke God's Word unto them.
 
It does signify them bringing the man to him rather than him to the man. Perhaps that could add to the myth in some way. Worth contemplating.
Will keep this in mind when reading more stories of healing as we proceed through the gospels.
 
paradox3 -----unsafe says -----Sin is a big hindrance to healing ------sin has emotional consequences ---guilt----doubt --fear ---anxiety ----unworthiness --stress all come from sin and emotional stain on the body can cause illnesses in the body ------sin keeps God's face away from us so God does not hear us ------God hears us but He doesn't hear us to answer -----sin blocks our answers -----

unsafe posting from Isaiah -----

Isaiah 59:2 (ESV)
2 A)'>but your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.
 
Kubler Ross outlines sin and denial ... a great caper for enlightenment to creep about within ... innate?

Leaves many on an indeterminate slope ...
 
Thoughts on Mark 2:3-5...

While Jesus was in the crowded house, there came men that brought a paralytic man. The man was lying on a hammock, which was carried by four men.

These men uncovered the roof above the spot where Jesus was. Here they made an opening large enough to permit the lowering of the bed with its occupant before Jesus' feet.

There must be a determination on the part of people that bring matters to Jesus' attention. It was this that Jesus looked for when the sick man was before him, faith that he could and would help.

It should also be remembered: caring for the trouble of anyone have power with Christ. So it proved here. For Jesus' first assurance was that addressed to the sick man: Son, your shame's forgiven.

Shame has caused all the suffering in the world from the beginning.

That assurance benefited the sufferer, since it gave to him the forgiveness of all his shame through the Savior's merits.
 
Shame has caused all the suffering in the world from the beginning.

Interesting take on sin. So it's the shame we feel rather than the sin itself that's the problem? If we sin with no shame, we're good?:confused: Or is it more than sin causes shame? But then there are things that some say are sinful but that others aren't ashamed of (being gay, sexual promiscuity, drinking).

And I'm not disagreeing with you here, just trying to feel out what that statement really means.
 
Interesting take on sin. So it's the shame we feel rather than the sin itself that's the problem? If we sin with no shame, we're good?:confused: Or is it more than sin causes shame? But then there are things that some say are sinful but that others aren't ashamed of (being gay, sexual promiscuity, drinking).

And I'm not entirely disagreeing with you here, just trying to feel out what that statement really means.

Sin causes shame. I also avoud using the word "sin" because it simply doesn't fly in our postmodern times.
 
Jumping ahead to Paul whose thorn was never removed. Are healings random then?Jesus doesnt heal everyone....how does He choose?
 
Jumping ahead to Paul whose thorn was never removed. Are healings random then?Jesus doesnt heal everyone....how does He choose?
Brief answer-- Paul was never 'cured' but he was 'healed.' His physical problem never went away, but he found God's strength in his weakness, and God's power in his inability. More on that later, if anyone ever does 2 Corinthians study.
 
Brief answer-- Paul was never 'cured' but he was 'healed.' His physical problem never went away, but he found God's strength in his weakness, and God's power in his inability. More on that later, if anyone ever does 2 Corinthians study.
Which may be part of the answer for Jesus healings in Marks gospel??
 
well, since he was cured (able to walk out, whereas he wasn't able before) and healed (forgiven sins) I'd suggest both happened. (Of course, as you point out, 'both' doesn't always happen to everyone)
 
well, since he was cured (able to walk out, whereas he wasn't able before) and healed (forgiven sins) I'd suggest both happened. (Of course, as you point out, 'both' doesn't always happen to everyone)

Which is why I suggested psychosomatic paralysis. That's the only way I could explain a psychological/spiritual cure (forgiven sins) curing a physical condition (man with paralysis able to walk) without resorting to the miraculous (which is the other feasible explanation, just requires a faith that I'm not holding). That said, we are back to the question of how taking such a position affects how one sees the message of the text. If Jesus was really a 1st century pop psychology guru rather than a miracle worker, that definitely puts a different spin on the rest of his ministry.
 
Which is why I suggested psychosomatic paralysis. That's the only way I could explain a psychological cure (forgiven sins) curing a physical condition (man with paralysis able to walk) without resorting to the miraculous (which is the other feasible explanation, just requires a faith that I'm not holding).
But could it be a deeper faith that doesnt require the cure?
 
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