Mark 2:1-5 NIV
“A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”” Mark 2:1-5 NIV
The faith of the four men who brought their friend to Jesus for physical healing must have blessed the Lord, and He responded to their need. But they too had to learn a deeper spiritual lesson that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins to those who believe on His name. A lesson that has eternal consequences. Notice what is the basis of this miracle. Seeing their faith. The four men were the ones who helped make this miracle possible. It wasn't just their willingness to help the man, but it was their faith that if they got their friend to Jesus, then the Lord would do great things for him. They were right. The question, however, is whether or not we will be so bold in our faith with our friends. Jesus could have spent His entire life time healing all that were physically sick or maimed, demon possessed or leprous. He could have fed the multitudes daily with bread and fish, or with manna and quail, until physical illness was eradicated and bodily hunger was satisfied. But Jesus had come for a greater purpose than simply to supply man's many physical needs. Jesus had come to turn men from sin and unbelief back to trust and dependance upon the Lord their God. Jesus was able to do more than they even imagined. Because Jesus had come, not just to bring physical healing and physical restoration, but he had come ultimately to bring spiritual forgiveness, spiritual healing, spiritual restoration. There’s so much we could be encouraged about in this passage and so much we could pray accordingly, but just based merely on what we have talked about, let’s praise Jesus for His power to forgive sins, for His authority to forgive sins, to say to our sins, all of our rebellion against God, it’s gone, it’s forgiven, it’s wiped clean. We rejoice in Christ’s authority to forgive sins and await the day when He will bring about ultimate healing. Despite that fact that Jesus' ministry is primarily to teach, and that His plans to rest are often interrupted by people seeking healing, He clearly loves it when people's faith drives them to take drastic measures to find Him!!!
Father thank You for this day and that Jesus died on the Cross to pay the price for my sins and that by believing on His name, our sins have been forgiven forever, and our lives are now hid with Christ in God. Lord open the floodgates of heaven and pour out Your abundant blessings upon my friend and family today. Lord please strengthen our faith and use my friend and I to bring those who are broken, lost, and hurting to experience the gracious and powerful gift of Your love today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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