Does Jesus See Your Faith? (Mark 2:1-12)

"When Jesus saw their faith...” (Mk 2:5).

1. What does the size and enthusiasm of the crowd tell about Jesus’ popularity (Mk 2:1-2; Jn 2:23)?
2. What does the 4 friend’s extreme steps reveal about their faith (Mk 2:3-4; Jas 2:18, 22, 26)? When Jesus saw "their faith" did he include the paralytic?
3. How does Jesus seeing “their” faith (Mk 2:5a) challenge your faith to bring someone to Him? Who in your life is “paralyzed” by besetting sin, spiritual blindness, victimhood, hatred, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, idolatry? What “roof” might you need to dig through (intercessory prayer, time, effort, self-denial, social discomfort, creativity) to help them?
4. Why did Jesus address forgiveness before physical healing (Mk 2:5b)? How does Jesus’ view of man’s deepest need differ from man's priorities (Mt 26:8-9, 11; Mk 14:4-5, 7; Jn 12:5, 8; Lk 10:40-42)?
5. What does the scribes' question in their hearts show about them (Mk 2:6-7; Mt 23:23-24; Jn 5:39-40; 2 Cor 3:14-15)? Should you judge Jesus’ words/actions by human understanding (Jn 8:15; 13:7)? What does Jesus’ awareness of their thoughts reveal about him (Mk 2:8; Jn 2:24-25; Jer 17:9; Isa 64:6)?
6. Why is the claim to forgive sins harder to verify than a physical healing (Mk 2:9)? How does this show that Jesus’ miracles were signs pointing to a greater reality?
7. How does the healing serve as evidence of His authority (Mk 2:10-11)? That He has authority to forgive sins?
8. Have you “seen” Jesus’ forgiving and healing authority in yourself (Mk 2:12)? In others?