Human Need and the Unexpected Son of Man

REFLECTION QUOTES

“You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you might find
You get what you need.”

~ The Rolling Stones, from their 1969 song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”

“The Kingdom of God is the tree and the needs of the people are the fruit. If you want the fruit, you go to the tree.”

~ Myles Munroe (1954-2014), Bahamian pastor and evangelist

“He that has doctrinal knowledge and speculation only, without affection, never is engaged in the business of religion.”

~ Jonathan Edwards (1703­1758), American pastor, philosopher and theologian

“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”

~ William James (1842-1910), American philosopher and psychologist

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

~ C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), British professor and novelist

SERMON PASSAGE

Mark 2:1-12 (ESV)

1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”