R.A. Torrey emphasizes Jesus' multifaceted ministry in Mark 2:1-12, where He teaches the ignorant, forgives the sinner, and heals the sick. The sermon highlights how Jesus prioritized teaching over mere healing, demonstrating that spiritual needs often take precedence. The faith of the four friends who brought the paralytic to Jesus is showcased as a model of determination and belief, leading to both forgiveness and physical healing. Torrey also addresses the opposition Jesus faced from the scribes, illustrating His authority to forgive sins through miraculous healing. Ultimately, the message underscores the importance of faith in Jesus and His ability to transform lives.

(See also Matthew 9:1–8; Luke 5:17–26) DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. Jesus Teaching the Ignorant, vv. 1, 2 In what city is the scene of this lesson laid? Why had He left Capernaum? (1:37, 38.) Did He desire that His return should awaken any excitement? Did it? Was it ever possible for Jesus to gain any long seclusion? (7:24.) Can it be hid today when Jesus really comes into a home or church? What was the result of people’s knowing that Jesus was in the house? What will usually be the result when it is known that Jesus is, of a truth, in any place? (v. 13; 1:33, 45; 4:1, 12; Luke 12:1, f. c.) What did these people come to get? What did Jesus give them first of all? Why did He give them the word? What do people most need today—healing or teaching? When we get a crowd together, if we are to follow the Master’s example, what ought we to give them? Is there any hint here as to the conduct of church sociables? What did Jesus preach? Did the apostles follow His example in this? (Acts 6:4; 8:25; 11:19; 14:25; 2 Tim. 4:2.) What is the word? (1 Sam. 3:1; 1 Thess. 2:13; Mark 7:10–13.) What is the proper business of the Christian preacher to preach? (Jonah 3:2.) 2. Jesus Forgiving the Sinner, vv. 3–5 How was Jesus’ preaching interrupted? What justification was there for their bringing their sick friend to Jesus at such a time? How many did it take to get the sick man to Jesus? Was it worth the trouble of four men? If three men can’t get a man to Christ, what is the best thing to be done? Why did they bring the man sick of the palsy to Jesus? Did they find any difficulty in getting this man to Him? Why didn’t they turn around and go home and wait for some more convenient season? What is the best way to get people to overcome all difficulties and press their way right to Jesus at once? What means did they take to get their friend to Jesus? Would that cause any disturbance? Was it right to disturb a meeting in that way? Did they get what they wanted? Why did Jesus grant them what they wanted? What kind of faith was it they had? How was it seen? Can true faith usually be seen? How? (Jas. 2:18.) Just what was this faith they had? (Luke 7:50; 8:48; 18:41, 42.) What was the first thing Jesus said to the palsied man? Why did He forgive his sins before healing his disease? If we would remove misery what must we first remove? What is the great defect of modern philanthropy? Did he know he was forgiven? How? 3. Jesus Silencing the Gainsayers, vv. 6–10 Who took exception to Jesus’ word? Where were these scribes from? (Luke 5:17.) What were they there for? (v. 16.) What was the real secret of the hostility of the scribes and Pharisees to Jesus? (John 12:19; Mark 15:10.) What was their criticism on the words of Jesus? Did they make this charge against Jesus on any other occasion? (John 10:33; Mark 14:64.) To what extent were they right in their reasoning? Jesus then must have been a blasphemer or what? Where was the mistake of the scribes? Where did these scribes do their reasoning? Why did they not speak it right out? If Jesus had the power to forgive sins, who were the blasphemers in that case? By what, first of all, did Jesus show that He really had the divine authority which they accused Him of blaspheming for claiming? (2 Chron. 6:30, 1. c.; Jer. 17:9, 10; Ps. 139:1, 2.) What was the first question He put to them? If they had answered that question honestly, what would they have replied? What was Jesus’ direct answer to the charge that He had not authority to forgive sins? How is healing the hopelessly sick a proof of authority to forgive sins? Does Jesus by this utterance make the healing or non-healing of an individual’s sickness a test of the forgiveness or non-forgiveness of their sins? Does Jesus desire us merely to hope He has power to forgive sins? Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins, has He it now in His exaltation? (Acts 5:31.) If we have sins, where should we then go with them? Why was it easier to say: “Thy sins be forgiven thee” than “Arise, take up thy bed and walk”? Which is easier for Jesus to do, to forgive sins or to say: “Arise, take up thy bed and walk”? 4. Jesus Healing the Sick, vv. 11, 12 What was the feeling in different hearts when Jesus spoke these words? (people’s? scribes’? friends’ above? man’s?) How was Christ’s claim demonstrated? (How does this case of healing differ from many of the modern cures?) How then does Jesus’ claim to forgive sins differ from the Catholic priest’s? What was the effect upon the people? Were they converted? (Matt. 11:23.) Were the scribes convinced? Why not? Are there any today who would not be convinced if a palsied man should be raised right up before their eyes? Why not? What did Jesus say to the man? Did Jesus touch him or anything of that kind? Why did He not tell the four men to carry the bed home? What two verses of Galatians 6 are illustrated by the four bringing the palsied man to Jesus and he carrying his own bed home? (Gal. 6:2, 5.) CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS 1. Jesus When He is in the house it will soon be known abroad, 1; men need Him and will crowd together where He is known to be, 2; the more wretched and hopeless men are the more they are attracted to Him, 3, 4; always accessible to those who are determined to get to Him, 4, 5 (compare Jer. 29:13); hated by man, 5, 6, 7; the object of false accusations from honored men, 7; rewards faith, 5–12; silences opposition, 6–12; spoke the word, 2; forgave sin, 5; healed incurable diseases, 11, 12 (He is just the same today, Heb. 13:8); read men’s hearts, 8; has the power to forgive sins, 10; demonstrates His power to do that which we cannot see and which demands divine power for its accomplishment, by doing that which we can see and which equally demands divine power for its accomplishment, 10, 12; divine, 7, 10, 12. 2. The Four They heard of Jesus, 1; believed on Jesus, 5; brought their friend to Jesus, 3; were discouraged by no obstacles, fertile in expedients, when they could not get their friend to Jesus one way they tried another, 4; realized how critical was their friend’s case, realized the importance of improving present opportunities and the danger of delay, did hard work, were not fettered by conventionalities, thought it more important to get a man to Jesus than to have an orderly meeting, 3, 4; thought it worth the time and effort of four men to get one man to Christ, 3; succeeded in their purpose, 5–12. 3. The Palsied Man Helpless, hopeless, dying, 3; Jesus came his way, 1; brought to Jesus, 3; believed, was forgiven, knew he was forgiven, 5; healed, 11, 12. 4. True Faith in Jesus (1). What faith is. The assurance that Jesus can and will do the thing sought—forgive sin, heal disease, etc., 5 (compare Heb. 11:1, R. V.) (2). What faith does. Manifests itself in action, 5; brings its needs to Jesus, 3; surmounts all obstacles, 4; pleases Jesus, 5. (3). What faith gets. What it seeks, 11, 12; more than it seeks, forgiveness, 5; healing, 11, 12.