An All-inclusive Package Deal
Tuesday January 21, 2014
Yesterday we spoke about four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing. Even though the room where Jesus was teaching was crowded with people, the four men made the extra effort, made a hole in the roof, and lowered their friend in front of Jesus.
Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” (Mark 2:5-12 NLT)
The teachers of the law incorrectly believed that illness was the direct result of sin and the sick could not recover until their sin had been forgiven by God. They knew that God alone could forgive sin. They were therefore outraged when Jesus, a mere man, offered forgiveness of sin to the paralyzed man. Jesus knew, as the Son of God, that He had the authority to forgive sin but, they did not accept this.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20 NIV)
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