Breakthrough To Jesus Series

The Healing Touch of Jesus:

Breakthrough To Jesus 

Mark 1:40 - 2:17

Introduction

On this first Sunday of the new year, we begin a new series of messages called The Healing Touch of Jesus. We will be making our way through Mark’s Gospel. In this series we will encounter many people who need the healing

touch of Jesus - even today we will look at three different people who shared in common the one thing - they needed what only Jesus could give them. Each one of them had to break through barriers to get to Jesus. Each one of them had to make a great effort to receive what Jesus willingly gave them. We ultimately want to think about ourselves - what do you need to break through to receive what King Jesus wants to give you?

1. Three People Who Needed to Break Through to Jesus

A Man who had to break through the stigma of leprosy. (MK 1:40-45). Leprosy, a virulent skin disease, brought consequences. Scriptural stigma - the OT declares sequestering the infected. Religious stigma - the leaders would have kept him from Synogogue / Temple. Social stigma - no one would associate with them, no one would come near them. Medical Stigma - this was a deadly condition. This defines the man’s question to Jesus, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant - he wanted to declare clearly, “I am willing.” The man was to go through the process of being declared clean by a priest, and make an offering, but instead he went out and told everyone about the healer who cleansed him!

Mark 1:45b “Jesus was no longer able to enter any town openly but stayed outside in remote places. Still they kept coming to him from everywhere.”

He had to break through many barriers to get to Jesus!

A paralyzed man who had to break through the crowd! (MK 2:1-12). A paralyzed man has friends who have heard the stories about a man who has healed the sick. They would like nothing better for their friend but that he could walk with them. As you might expect, the healer has a crowd around him and it’s hard to get near him. No matter how hard they try, they can’t get to him. Then one of them has a brilliant idea. They needed a breakthrough to get to Jesus, so they literally broke through the roof! Jesus didn’t say anything about the roof, but he did say two amazing things:

-Mark 2:5 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”

-Mark 2:11-12 “I tell you, stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.’ And immediately the man stood up, took his

stretcher, and went out in front of them all. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’”

A man who had to break through the stigma, a man who had to break through the crowds, and…

A Man who had to break through his past. Jesus walked by the tax collector’s booth and saw Levi. Levi somewhere along the way decided to be a tax man - one of the most hated people of his time. Lane: A Jewish Tax Collector was regarded as an outcast from society: disqualified as a judge or a witness in a court, excommunicated from the synagogue, and in the eyes of the community his disgrace extended to his family. How do you think people spoke to him each day? How Did the Romans regard him? Easily replaced. Maybe the kind word from Jesus was the first he heard that day...that month … or in many months. Trapped in a hated profession, when Jesus said “Follow Me” the Bible says Levi “got up and followed him.” Next, the dinner at Levi’s house was a sight - tax collectors and sinners - rejects and outcasts - were eating with Jesus and his disciples. It made the religious people crazy. This is what Jesus had to say: “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

In a short space we have A man who had to break through the stigma of disease, a man who had to break through the crowds, and a man who had to break through past decisions. Can you relate to any of these?

2. Maybe we all need to breakthrough to Jesus!

What in your life represents a barrier to being close to God? Do you need to …

Breakthrough our guilt over past mistakes.

Breakthrough our attitudes that do not honor God.

Breakthrough our resistance to following Jesus.

Breakthrough our persistent sins.

Breakthrough our pain, sorrow, sickness, discouragement.

I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t appreciate a breakthrough to Jesus in their lives.