JESUS FORGIVES AND CALLS SINNERS
Mark 2:1–17
Key Verse: 2:17
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
In the opening chapters of Mark’s Gospel, we are introduced to Jesus’ public ministry as the Messiah. Mark presents Jesus as God’s powerful and compassionate servant, who preaches good news of the kingdom, teaches with authority, heals the sick, and drives out demons. Everywhere Jesus goes, people are astonished and blessed. Wow!! Jesus truly brings us the kingdom of God on earth. Hallelujah! In the previous passage, Jesus healed a man with leprosy. That man was untouchable, isolated, and declared unclean by society. Yet Jesus touched him and said, “I am willing. Be clean!” With that touch and word, Jesus revealed His heart that cleanses sinners and restores outcasts. Jesus, our Great Physician, heals us from all diseases. Jesus, our Savior, forgives and heals us from the deepest disease of all: sin.

In today’s passage, Mark gives two powerful events that reveal Jesus’ authority and mission. One involves a paralyzed man who could not help himself. The other involves an able-bodied tax collector who had worked hard for money, and ignored public opinion. One was physically helpless; the other was morally corrupt. Yet, both were sinners in desperate need of Christ’s mercy. Many people believe that their greatest need is a better situation in life. Better job, better health, better relationships, or more stability. Yes, these are important, but there is a more urgent need that no human effort can solve: the need for the forgiveness of sins. Only Jesus can meet this need. In Mark 2:1–17, we want to learn Jesus’s authority to forgive sins, and to call sinners into a new life as disciples. May the Holy Spirit help us recognize our deepest need for Jesus, and may we hear His call today and follow Him forever. Amen.

I. Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man (1–12)
Look at verses 1–2. “A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.”

Capernaum had become Jesus’ ministry base. Jesus likely returned to the home of Simon and Andrew. There was an overwhelming crowd, the house was packed to capacity. People filled every space inside and outside. What did Jesus do in this moment of popularity? Mark tells us clearly: Jesus preached the word. This reveals Jesus’ priority. Though many came seeking healing or miracles, Jesus focused on proclaiming God’s word. Healing the body is important, but preaching the word addresses the soul. God’s word gives light, comfort, and life. Without the word of God, even healthy people remain spiritually feeble.

As we teach the Bible, let us not ignore people’s practical struggles. Jesus taught the people and cared deeply about their sufferings. He never separated truth from love or love from truth. Sometimes we offer Bible verses without compassion, or compassion without introducing The Word. Jesus handled both perfectly. He preached The Word of God, and served the people. While Jesus was preaching, something unexpected happened. Verses 3–4 tell us that four men came carrying a paralyzed man. They could not get through the crowd, the place was packed. Humanly speaking, the situation was impossible. But they refused to give up. Instead, they climbed onto the roof, made an opening, and lowered the man down right in front of Jesus. This move was bold, disruptive, and costly, yet was by faith. Try to imagine the extent of their action: They damaged someone’s roof, which can be classified as burglary. In New Jersey, vandalism, or the damage and destruction of property, comes under a type of offense called criminal mischief. This is a criminal offense under the New Jersey state criminal code and a conviction can lead to fines, community service, and even jail time. These friends were not bothered that the owner of the place could press charges against them. Another offense is that they interrupted Jesus’ teaching. They were not concerned that the crowd may criticize and embarrass them. Their faith was focused on Jesus, they were willing to pay any price in order to bring their friend to Jesus because they believed in Jesus’ authority to heal the sick.

Verse 5 says, “When Jesus saw their faith…” Jesus saw more than a paralyzed body. He saw faith, living and active faith expressed through action. Jesus recognized that the four friends had faith in His power to heal/save their sick friend. Many people today cannot come to Jesus on their own. Some are paralyzed by fear, guilt, addiction, pride, indifference.. Some do not even know they need help. Unbelievers need Christian friends with action faith, who are not embarrassed because of their faith, but willing to overcome social norms and legalistic barriers in order to bring the unbeliever to Jesus. This is also a call for us to choose our friends wisely. We need to gather friends around us that can help us to stand again in faith in our time of faith-paralysis.
Jesus said to the paralyzed man: “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus called him “Son,” to show that He welcomed the sick man. Then He addressed the man’s deepest need, not his paralysis, but his sin problem. This surprises us because we often think physical healing or provision of needs is the most urgent problem. But Jesus sees deeper. Sin separates us from God. Sin destroys our sense of purpose and meaning. Sin paralyzes us spiritually, preventing us from doing the best things that God has created us to do. And Jesus has come to address our sin problem.

Isaiah 59:2 says our sins separate us from God. Romans 7 describes how sin traps us into doing what we hate. Even when our bodies are healthy, sin leaves us spiritually crippled. (Rom. 7:15-25) 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 24 What a wretched (paralyzed) man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death (sin)? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Hallelujah!!

Vs.6-7 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” The teachers of the law were deeply troubled. In verses 6–7 they accused Jesus of blasphemy. Their logic was correct: only God can forgive sins. But what they failed to consider was that God was right in front of them in the body of Jesus. Jesus is God Almighty that came as a humble Son of man in order to seek, serve and save the lost. Jesus knew their thoughts and He challenged them: “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?” To heal paralysis is a visible miracle that we can see and celebrate, but the greatest miracle is that of forgiveness of sins.

See Verse 10-11: “But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” After showing His authority over sin, Jesus then did the visible miracle. He commanded the man to get up, and immediately, the man was healed. The man walked out carrying the mat. The crowd was stunned. They praised God, saying they had never seen anything like this. Jesus demonstrated that He has divine authority; authority to heal our bodies, and authority to forgive our sins. He is The Son of God! This statement by Jesus, would ultimately cost Him His life. The Pharisees did not believe Jesus is The Son of God. According to them it was blasphemy against God for any person to claim to be God. They did not forgive Him of this blasphemy, later, they condemned Him to be crucified. On the cross, Jesus paid the full price for the sin of all the world, so that anyone that believes is forgiven…

II. Jesus Calls a Tax Collector to Follow Him (13–17)
Read 13-14. “Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.” After the powerful event of healing the paralyzed man, Jesus continued His ministry beside the lake. Again, crowds gathered, and Jesus taught them The Word of God. Jesus is 100% focused on The Word. We’ve settled that in the first part of the sermon.

Next, Jesus saw Levi sitting at the tax collector’s booth. In Jewish society, tax collectors were despised. Tax collectors were known for greed and corruption. They were labeled “sinners” by society and rejected by the religious people. They were seen as betrayer of their country because they worked with Roman authorities in enforcing taxation. The Jews believed that they should not be subject to any other authority but God alone. Hence, they considered the Roman government as oppressors/slave-masters, they saw taxation as oppression, and anyone working for the government in enforcing taxation is a betrayer of the people. This was Levi’s situation.
Let us take a close look at the man Levi. In order to qualify as a Roman government worker, Levi may be one of the most educated, strong and ambitious young men of his time. He was so ambitious to the point that he did not care about what people would say about him. He was willing to live in isolation as an ostracised Jew while chasing success. It is possible that Levi found no place both with his Jewish community and also was not fully accepted by the Roman people, because to them, he was just another slave and only a business tool. His goal in life might be for him to be very wealthy no matter the source and at any cost. His focus on his career and financial gain might have cost him his family, wife, children, brothers/sisters, even fellowship with God (possibly could not go to the synagogue/church). Maybe it was fun for him. Or perhaps, he was living in shame as a lost life, but Jesus looked at Levi with grace. (In a few seconds, I want you to say this prayer: Lord Jesus, look upon me with grace..)

When Jesus saw Levi, Jesus knew his heart. Jesus knew how Levi might be desiring God in the heart, but his visible life choice and action was that of a greedy man. Jesus did not lecture him with many words. He did not demand repentance first (Levi! Levi!!… no). He simply said, “Follow me.” This call was radical. It was a call to make a decision of faith. To follow Jesus meant leaving behind wealth, security, and status. For Levi, it meant a 180 degree turn from a carefree life of personal fun, acclaimed success or shame, to a decent life of relationship with Jesus. But Levi responded immediately. He got up and followed Jesus. This shows the power of Jesus’ call. When Jesus calls, He also enables obedience. This may also confirm to us how Levi was already hungry for a relationship with God or with his people, but he did not know how to go about it until Jesus showed up. Jesus was a Jew like the others, but Jesus did not despise Levi, rather, He said to him, ‘follow me.’ With one word, Jesus invited Levi into a new life. Hallelujah!

Like Levi, I was a very ambitious young boy. I desired to be financially successful so that I can live a President kind of life for myself and my family. I worked very hard in my studies, and I excelled. I was not interested in serving any lost soul or bringing sin-sick people to Jesus. While on campus in Nigeria, for the first few years, I was hiding and avoiding campus fellowships, because I did not want to continue the responsibility of teaching the Bible. At home, I was a Sunday School Teacher, but at school, I was just passing by. Eventually, God helped me by sending Brother Justin, my class friend, to call me to Bible study with one word; ‘Come, you will like it.’ So I joined UBF and grew in my passion for The Word of God and for reaching out to many other students. Today, I still have some ambition to earn a better life for my family, but now, I am aware of a greater ambition of following Jesus as a disciple and as a teacher of The Bible. I pray to stay faithful. I pray that each one here may receive that one word that is going to turn your life around from all distractions into a life that is focused on Jesus and His gospel mission. Amen.

Levi later hosted a banquet for Jesus (he was changed from a selfish man to a giver). He invited many tax collectors and sinners like himself, and Jesus gladly ate with them. This caused outrage among the Pharisees. They criticized Jesus for associating with sinners. They believed holiness meant separation from sinful people. They have a point, but it is not far from self-righteousness and self-preservation. In Christ, we are called into salvation, and into a commission to call others. How can we reach sinners if we do not interact with them? As a matter of fact, do we have any right to classify any people as sinners? No. It is okay to practically stay away from the ungodly when one is growing in faith, because there is the chance for a young believer to be tempted and corrupted by bad company. But as we mature in the faith, as we learn more from Bible study, as we grow in prayer, we need to start invading the kingdom of darkness to snatch many away from the path that leads to hell. The Bible says; ‘There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.’ (Prov.14:12). Many, like Levi, and like the sick man, are paralyzed in the ungodly way, they do not know their way out. Faithful friends need to lift them up or call them into the way of Jesus. For it’s only in Christ that we find true life.

Vs.17 – “..It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus did not deny sin. He confronted it. He did so as a physician, not a judge. Jesus responded with words that define His mission: ‘I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ They were all sinners gathered there, not just Levi. All including the Pharisees lurking around. The Pharisees’ problem was not that they avoided sin, but that they did not see their own sin-sick souls. Self-righteousness blinded them to their need for the grace of Jesus Christ. Jesus came for those who know they are sick. He understands each heart and is ready to save the poor in spirit (Matt.5:3). Levi would later be known as Matthew, the author of the Gospel of Matthew. The man once obsessed with money became a witness of Jesus. This is the transforming power of Jesus’ call. Amen. You can trust Jesus with your life, and He will use you for His glorious purpose.

Conclusion
Mark 2:1–17 reveals the heart and authority of Jesus Christ. Jesus forgives sinners. Jesus gives new life and new direction. The paralyzed man heard, “Your sins are forgiven.” The tax collector heard, “Follow me.” Both were transformed. Praise be to Jesus, our Great Physician and gracious Lord. Jesus still speaks today. Have you come to Him for forgiveness? Have you heard His call to follow Him? Jesus is The Son of God that forgives your sins and calls you to follow Him. May we live daily in His forgiveness and respond faithfully to His call. May we follow Jesus with our whole hearts and bring many sin-paralyzed friends to Him. Amen. Key Verse: 2:17 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”