Mark Chapter 2

Mark 2:1-12 ~ The Purpose for Healing

Mark 2:1-12 is the perfect teaching that demonstrates the purpose for healing and the physical ministry of Jesus. He is revealing His authority through the physical realm. If He wants to heal you, He will heal you. No problem. But I will tell you this, whatever the healing is, it will be temporary. Because if you should be healed by Jesus, you will still be dying. The body will continue its aging process.

Mark 2:13-17 ~ The Personal Relationship with Jesus

When Jesus called people to follow Him, He called them to follow behind Him, follow after Him. We do not follow the crowds, we follow Him personally. It is based on confession. If we confess our sins He is just, and He is able, and He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And this confession is to call upon the Lord to change the direction of our life. Instead of me leading my own life, which is what the Bible calls sin; I confess my sins and lay down my life to follow Jesus and His plan and His will for me.

It is totally different than following the big movements and experiencing an experience with the crowds. On a personal basis it is very private and it is very difficult on a human level. It is not about experiencing things with people, it is all about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Following Him, confessing Him, confessing our sins, confessing Him as our Lord, and repenting of the way in which we are going. To call upon Him for a new direction in life by receiving His Spirit and letting His Spirit lead. That is personal. That is private. That is what He calls everybody to do. But only a few, Jesus said, only a few find it.

Mark 2:18-28 ~ Religion vs Relationship

Jesus Christ came and said, "Religion is over, relationship is here." Even though the religious system was formed by God, it only served a purpose to usher in the life of what the system was talking about. So basically He is telling them He did not come here to breathe life into the old religious system. He came to call people to follow Christ. Period. That is it. The church is the people that Christ has called out to follow Him.