And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried
by four men. And when they could not get near him
because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him,
and when they had made an opening, they let down
the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw
their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Son, your sins are forgiven."
Mark 2:3-5 ESV
Jesus saw their faith...
He saw the physical ailment of the paralytic...
and He forgave the man's sins...
What He really cares about... is healing our spirit... our soul... that part of us that is eternal...
Physical illness... wounds... scars... will pass away... but the spiritual wounds... effect our eternity...
You see it over and over in the gospels... His acts of healing and compassion... pity and mercy... restoring sight... healing leprosy... casting out disease causing demons... it's all really about why He came...
The religious leaders who witnessed the forgiving of the man let down through the roof questioned in their hearts... Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?
Jesus perceived their silent questions... and said...
"...Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" ---
he said to the paralytic --- "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed
and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed
and went out before them all...
Mark 2:9-12 ESV
Jesus healed the man spiritually... but spiritual healing happens on the inside... unseen for the most part... until enough time goes by to see a difference in someone's character...
Jesus wanted to make it clear... He had authority to forgive... to heal on the inside... so He did the harder of the two options... He told the man to get up and walk... and he did...
I believe Jesus's physical healings of dis-eases are a physical manifestation of the spiritual reality for which He came...
Every healing... a desire for spiritual healing...
Every broken heart restored... a desire for redemption of a soul...
Every demon cast out... a desire for the Holy Spirit to move in...
Every dead body raised... a desire for the reality of eternal life...
Never forget... what He really cares about... that which lasts forever... our spirit... our souls...
Do not get all caught up in the physical... disappointed if you don't receive a physical healing... or a loved one lingers...
He's already paid for... and made the Way for... the best healing ever...
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the
chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV
Rest in His sovereignty...
trust in His pity... mercy... compassion... and power...
know the spiritual reality of what's going on... He's working for good...
This week's readings...
Monday Mark 5:21 - 6:13
Tuesday Mark 6:14-56
Wednesday Mark 7
Thursday Mark 8:1 - 9:1
Friday Mark 9:2-50
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