Three 'Immediately' Later

Mark 2:1-12 (NKJ) tells us about the encounter Jesus had with the paralytic and his four friends. As I was reading I noticed that the word immediately was used three different times during this life changing encounter. The first time, ... 'And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Mark 2:1-2
   
Jesus came to town, word started spreading, and immediately people dropped everything and they came! So many that they filled the house so that when the four friends brought the paralytic to him they couldn't even get near the door, never mind inside to Jesus.

This first 'immediately' has to do with peoples reaction to the news that Jesus was in the house! Its important to note that people were actually quick to come into His presence when it became know that He had come to town. They crowded in just to be in His Presence!

Next thing to happen is that the four men find a way to get him in through the roof down to Jesus. Jesus responds ...'When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Mark 2:5-7

It is at this point we have our second 'immediately.' ...And immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven you" or Arise, take up your bed and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--- He said to the paralytic,... Mark 2:8-10

This second 'immediately' was in reference to Jesus and His response to 'the reasoning in their hearts.' As soon as He spoke the words to the paralytic, He knew the hearts of the men listening and He immediately addressed their heart attitude. He will always, immediately respond and get to the heart of the matter, whether it is our sin, paralyzed body, or a scoffing, doubting heart.

The next immediately, ---He said to the paralytic, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go your way to your house." And immediately he arose, took up his bed, and went out in the presence of the all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

This third immediately is probably the easiest to notice because when Jesus tells you your healed, then we expect an immediate response. I love that he did exactly what Jesus said. He immediately got up, took the bed and left. No questions asked, no "But Lord, you didn't specifically say ,'Your Healed?"  He just immediately responded and obeyed.

So,  after three 'immediately' responses later we get to my favorite verse in this encounter, ..."all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"