Mark 1:21-2:12 Audacious Absolution: The Scandal of Forgiveness

The Rev. Luke Brown, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, Kansas, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Mark 1:21-2:12.

This section begins with Jesus' teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum, where his authoritative and powerful teaching amazes the people. During his sermon, he exorcises an unclean spirit from a man, further demonstrating his divine authority. Jesus then heals Simon Peter's mother-in-law, and the news of his miraculous deeds spreads rapidly. In response to the growing crowds seeking his healing and teachings, Jesus moves on to the next town. After he returns, Jesus heals a paralyzed man, telling him his sins are forgiven before miraculously curing his disability, lowered down through a roof by his friends. This riles up the Pharisees who accuse Jesus of blasphemy.

Beneath the fast-paced action of Jesus' ministry in the Gospel of Mark lies a profound theological message: we are all in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. Though Jesus performs mighty deeds and calls people to repent, they repeatedly fail to understand his true identity and mission. Even his disciples abandon him in his darkest hour. Yet Jesus willingly suffers and dies on the cross as a ransom for many, accomplishing what we could not do ourselves - securing our justification before God. Mark presents Jesus not just as a miracle worker but as the divine Savior whose atoning sacrifice makes salvation possible for lost sinners.