6 7 03

6:40a

Mark 2:1-14

Verses 1 through 14 of chapter 2 are about the paralytic and his four friends, those four who had so much faith in Jesus that they brought their sick friend, believing that Jesus would heal him. The hall in which Jesus was teaching � perhaps it is a home, perhaps it is a temple, it doesn�t matter � was so full that the friends went up to the roof, dug through it and then lowered their friend to Jesus from the top. When they did this, Jesus saw their faith � the faith of the friends � and told the paralytic man that his sins were forgiven (vs 5).

Jesus did not immediately heal the man. This is important. There were some rabbis in the house/temple, listening to Jesus. They were offended that He had said the man�s sins were forgiven. They didn�t believe that Jesus was the son of God, nor did they believe that He had the authority/power to forgive sin. They were offended and irritated by Jesus� supposed audacity. BUT, they didn�t say anything. They were offended but kept their irritated feelings to themselves.

Jesus, however, knew what they were thinking. Vs 8 �Immediately Jesus knew in His spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts�� Jesus did not overhear their mutterings. The Holy Spirit revealed their intent to Him.

Now, My opinion is that Jesus could sense their offended-ness. Actually, that really doesn�t matter� He knew what they were thinking. Because He knew what the rabbis were thinking, He asked them which was easier, to forgive sin or heal paralysis. Then, to prove His point � That He was, indeed, the son of God and as such had authority to forgive sin � He told the paralytic to rise and walk.

Vs 11 �I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.� And it was that easy!

It was really that easy. And, because it was that easy, it makes me think that perhaps we spend too much time expecting fanfare. We have grown accustomed to religious healers who use flashing lights, loud voices and big, sweeping, dramatic effects. Jesus didn�t do that. Jesus simply told the sick man to get up, take his mat and go home. And the sick man did just that.

How amazing it is to think that with a calm, quiet voice, the miracle can occur, not for the healer�s glory, but for God�s glory; so that the lesson is learned, not to show off. How cool is that, huh? It doesn�t take fireworks and smoke and mirrors to make the world a better place. It takes faith in God, belief in the promises of the Lord and knowledge that Jesus has authority over all things.

And, because we are heirs with Jesus, we too have authority over all things, thus we can heal. We can ask God to forgive us in entirety, AND, we will be forgiven as soon as we ask for it. We can heal others because WE believe, because we have faith, because we are the children of the God most high and as such, we have dominion over the earth and all things in it.

How cool is that, huh? Yay God! Indeed! Oh Father, bless me, indeed. And expand my territories. Keep me from causing any harm and make me a joy to all I encounter.

Amen and amen.