Get the Point
Opening Prayer
Loving Father, I’m so thankful that, whatever my struggles or problems, I can share them with You because You care.
Read LUKE 5:17-26
[17] One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. [18] Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. [19] When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. [20] When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” [21] The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” [22] Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? [23] Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? [24] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” [25] Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. [26] Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What point do you think Jesus wanted to make here?From the very beginning our ancestors messed things up. We therefore live in a world that has gone bad, where things don’t work as they should. Ultimately, the reason for all the illness, brokenness and unhappiness we experience and see around us is our own wretched, unmanageable sin. It may be an unfashionable concept, but the sin in our own lives is the practical issue we should address before all others.
Can we honestly say we would have understood this better than the Pharisees and teachers, as the paralyzed man came through the hole in the roof? Human instinct is to demand the answer which appeals. It must have been so exciting to see people healed and delivered (17). The religious leaders have a further problem in that Jesus (20) moves so readily into an aspect of life where (they believe) only God should work. There has never been a more disastrous failure to grasp the point. These men are in the very presence of one with both the power and the will to resolve the deepest, original failings of our race. Through faith in Jesus, the man rises up and walks but, more awesome and more crucial (23), his sins are forgiven.
Apply
If you or a friend have need of any spiritual or physical healing or any forgiveness, bring your request to Jesus now.
Closing prayer
Merciful Lord, keep me sensitive to sin in my life so that I can quickly confess and seek Your forgiveness.
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