Mark 2:3 And they come to him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. I. THOSE WHO WOULD BE HEALED BY CHRIST MUST COME TO HIM. Though in exceptional cases our Lord did cure sick people who were at a distance (e.g. Luke 7:1-10), His general rule was to heal by look, word, and touch — by the giving out of "virtue" from His living presence (Mark 5:30). Thus in the case before us the man was not cured till he reached Christ. 1. It is not enough to hear much of Christ. It is not enough to hear of a surgeon; a cure can be effected only by personal treatment. 2. It is not enough to seek help of those who are near to Christ. The crowd about the door could not heal the sick man. II. THERE ARE THOSE WHO WILL NEVER REACH CHRIST UNLESS THEY ARE BROUGHT TO HIM BY OTHERS. The sick man was "borne of four," and could not have reached Jesus without this help. It is the mission of the Church to bring to Christ those who are too helpless in spiritual indifference to seek Him of their own accord (Luke 14:21-23). Note — 1. The Church cannot cure the world of its sin. 2. Those who cannot do more, may be able to bring others under "the sound of the word," by inducing them to attend places of worship, etc. III. THE SELFISHNESS OF SOME WHO ARE ENJOYING CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGES IS ONE OF THE GREATEST IMPEDIMENTS TO THE SPREAD OF THE BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THOSE WHO ARE AS YET WITHOUT THEM. The selfish crowd would not give place for the sick man. IV. EARNEST PERSEVERANCE IN SEEKING CHRIST WILL OVERCOME THE GREATEST DIFFICULTIES. The readiness to give up before difficulties is a sure proof of half-heartedness. It is the sluggard who says, "There is a lion in the path." Christ is always accessible, though not always with ease. V. THOUGH THE WAY OF COMING TO CHRIST MAY BE IRREGULAR, HIS HEALING BLESSING WILL BE CERTAINLY GIVEN WHEN ONCE HE IS TRULY FOUND. There are cases in which the regular methods of the Church fail, and irregular methods seem to succeed. (W. F. Adeney, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. |
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