“He Preached The Word To Them”

 “He Preached The Word To Them”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

        Mark 2:3-12 records the miracle of the lame man “borne of four” and lowered through the roof to be healed by Jesus. I am very impressed with this miracle and impressed with the lesson behind it (v. 9-10). However, have you ever considered why the men lowered their friend through the roof? They had to do this because they could not get their friend through the front door (v. 2, 4)! Before they brought their friend to meet Jesus and be healed, Jesus had entered the house in Capernaum. When He taught the people, they filled the house, leaving no room for anyone else (v. 1-2).

            As I thought about the full house, it brought to mind two lessons:

What Jesus Brought To The People.

            Jesus did not come to Capernaum with bags of gold. He did not offer people freedom from enemies or some scheme for getting rich quickly. He came to Galilee, “preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mk. 1:14). I am particularly impressed with the book of Mark and how it emphasizes the word of Christ. Twenty-two times in sixteen chapters, we read about Christ’s work in spreading God’s truth. Some of the words used to describe Christ’s work include: “Taught” (9x); “preached” (2x); “preach” (1x); “teach” (4x); “teaching” (2x); and “doctrine” (4x). Jesus brought the people the truth (Jn. 17:17)! He made a point of telling as many people as possible about the “gospel of the kingdom.” May we learn a lesson from Christ in this. What is on our lips? Do we take the time to tell someone about the Lord? If not, why not? Only through Christ will any man have salvation (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12)!

What Interest Do We Show In Christ’s Teaching?

            I am also impressed when I read passages like Mark 2:1-2 because I see a generation of people who genuinely took an interest in the truth being taught. I hear about similar responses in foreign countries such as the Philippines, Colombia, China, and other places today, and for that, I am thankful. Yet, as a citizen of America, I wonder about those of us in the USA! What level of interest are we showing in God’s word? As Christians, is God’s word still our “first love”? Are we hungering and thirsting for the truth (Matt. 5:6)? If not, why not? Only the doctrine of Christ can bring salvation (Rom. 1:16; Mk. 16:15)! Only the doctrine of Christ reveals from whence we have come, why we are here, and where we are going when this life is over! There is no other nourishment for the soul (I Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12-14). Is it any wonder that people in the first century flooded the house where Jesus was? They wanted spiritual nourishment! Do we appreciate God’s spiritual nourishment?

            Having carefully considered the above, the next step is to apply what we have learned. These two elements go together like a hand in a glove. First, what are we teaching people? Do we know God’s word well enough to tell it to others? It’s high time we woke up from our sleep and got busy learning the Word, and tell the truth to others (Heb. 5:12-14). Many in the good ol’ U.S. of A want to hear the truth but don't know where to look. Too many so-called churches focus on everything except what truly matters, and some believers care more about social events or community approval than the salvation message (Rom. 1:16).

            Have we ever considered that if we refocused on the most important thing – the truth – we would attract people now, just as Christ did then? The gospel has the same power it has always had. Could it be, though, that we have lost faith in it?

            Let us remember what Christ brought to the people and their interests. These things are inseparable! Paul encouraged the same thing when he taught Timothy to “preach the word” (II Tim 4:2)! Are we willing to follow in the Lord’s footsteps? I am convinced we have not worn out the Lord’s way yet! Let’s go back to that and see the blessings that come when we do things the Lord’s way!