Read, Mark and Learn – 5

Last updated on: March 11, 2014 at 3:15 pm by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Read, Mark and Learn – 5 2014-03-11T15:15:25-05:00 Fr. Dwight Longenecker

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Welcome to Day Five of the Lent Blobble Study. Today we begin chapter two of St Mark’s Gospel. In the first chapter Jesus begins his ministry and the theme is his battle against Satan. After his baptism he is tempted in the wilderness and then he begins his ministry with great energy and vigor. The two main aspects that are emphasized are his teaching with authority and his authority over evil.

Chapter two moves on and begins to deal with the subject of sin and forgiveness. The Jewish leaders are wrapped up in strict legalism. They must obey the law of God. Jesus comes in and turns over those tables with a radical new understanding of forgiveness. Chapter two opens with the wonderful story of the healing of the paralytic in Capernaum

**The Healing of a Paralytic.**1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home 2Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.3They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.4Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.”6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,7“Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?”8Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—11he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”12He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

**The Call of Levi.**13 Once again he went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them.14 As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.15While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him.16 Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”17Jesus heard this and said to them [that], “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Go here to read my commentary on the passage for today. Don’t forget to come back with questions, comments and observations. Also, if you enjoy the Blobble Study help evangelize. Use the ‘Share’ tool to send it to your friends and share on Facebook.

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Read, Mark and Learn - 4

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