And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 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." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? 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, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Today “preaching the word” is given a bad reputation. Preaching is often thought of as standing behind a lectern or pulpit and involves passion being displayed by one man talking to a crowd. Preaching the word is so much more and, I would argue, is not limited to one man that is standing on a stage. Here we see Jesus was at home and there were so many people "that there was no more room, not even at the door." American "Christians" have a bad habit of leaving Jesus in the building and not being Jesus to the world. The problem with believing that preaching is only for the pastor is that it is not biblical. You will not find anywhere in scripture that says you are to leave the preaching to the professionals! If believers in America do not awake from their sleep and start "preaching the word" to those around them then I fear what God will say to the Church in America on judgment day.
Behold the faith of four men that carried a paralytic to Jesus and when they could not get to Him because of the crowd they tore the roof off. They knew that if they could just get this man to Jesus that He would heal him. Their faith was so strong and grounded in the Hope of Jesus healing him that no obstacle could have prevented them getting to Him. They probably asked people to move but they would not move. They probably tried every entrance but when the crowd would not get out of the way they made a way. They were going to get this man to Jesus. And when Jesus saw their faith He said, "Son, your sins are forgiven." "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, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" It seems the crowd parted to watch the man walk out before them. They were a hindrance in getting the man to Jesus and too eager to watch him leave.
The only reason Jesus said that the man’s sins are forgiven is so that all would know that He has authority on earth to forgive sins. This is good news!!!! This is great news!! Jesus has authority to forgive my sins. He has authority to blot out my transgressions. He has the power to make me into a new man. He has the power to tell the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk. Praise God for His wonderful gift; His son!! O how precious you are to me Lord Jesus! How great and mighty and powerful you are my King. Help me, Father, to carry those that are lame to You!
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 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." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? 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, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Today “preaching the word” is given a bad reputation. Preaching is often thought of as standing behind a lectern or pulpit and involves passion being displayed by one man talking to a crowd. Preaching the word is so much more and, I would argue, is not limited to one man that is standing on a stage. Here we see Jesus was at home and there were so many people "that there was no more room, not even at the door." American "Christians" have a bad habit of leaving Jesus in the building and not being Jesus to the world. The problem with believing that preaching is only for the pastor is that it is not biblical. You will not find anywhere in scripture that says you are to leave the preaching to the professionals! If believers in America do not awake from their sleep and start "preaching the word" to those around them then I fear what God will say to the Church in America on judgment day.
Behold the faith of four men that carried a paralytic to Jesus and when they could not get to Him because of the crowd they tore the roof off. They knew that if they could just get this man to Jesus that He would heal him. Their faith was so strong and grounded in the Hope of Jesus healing him that no obstacle could have prevented them getting to Him. They probably asked people to move but they would not move. They probably tried every entrance but when the crowd would not get out of the way they made a way. They were going to get this man to Jesus. And when Jesus saw their faith He said, "Son, your sins are forgiven." "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, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" It seems the crowd parted to watch the man walk out before them. They were a hindrance in getting the man to Jesus and too eager to watch him leave.
The only reason Jesus said that the man’s sins are forgiven is so that all would know that He has authority on earth to forgive sins. This is good news!!!! This is great news!! Jesus has authority to forgive my sins. He has authority to blot out my transgressions. He has the power to make me into a new man. He has the power to tell the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk. Praise God for His wonderful gift; His son!! O how precious you are to me Lord Jesus! How great and mighty and powerful you are my King. Help me, Father, to carry those that are lame to You!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Searchings in Mark 1:40-45
"And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter." - Mark 1:40-45
Once again I won't to remind myself that I am leprous and I desperately need to be healed!! But who would dare touch me? Who in their right mind would even come near me? I should be walking through my day yelling "Unclean, Unclean!!" If you could only see my thoughts you would not want to come near me! I am no different from this leper! Only my sin is covered by my this skin and his was plain to see (we must remember that leprosy was a curse from God almighty and it was inflicted where there was sin - to keep the history lesson short).
"And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean.""
We must all bow in adoration to the great physician! We must implore Him as the leper did. We must recognize that He does not react because of how passionately we beg Him but "If you will". So it depends not on the amount of so called faith that we can create into an emotional feeling inside of us but it depends solely on Christ and how He wants to display His glory and encourage His bride.
"Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean."
Oh praise the Lord Jesus for being moved with pity and having compassion on "this" leper! Oh praise God for demonstrating His goodness in "this" sinner! ("this" = the writer). Notice that Jesus touched the leper. Never would anyone get within spiting distance of a leper. You just didn't do that! What was He thinking? Why was God almighty in the flesh touching someone of this status? Why would He even be moved with piety? What did He see? Was it the way the leper approached Him? Was it some special word the leper used? No I think Jesus was moved with pity because He saw the devastation of sin. He saw the effects and the power that it has over His creation. Check out these verses:
Romans 5:8-11
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Ephesians 1:7-10
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Colossians 1:15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
We can see that the reconciliation of creation is at the top of God's agenda! I would say its the most important thing to Him because it is how He displays His glory to all of creation in heaven and on earth. And Christ being moved with pity had nothing to do with "this" leper coming to Him in a certain way with certain words but because He saw the wreckage sin has caused and moved with compassion and to the praise of His glorious grace His goodness and loving kindness appeared to me and He stretched out His hand and He saved me. Not because of works done by me but Because He is a God who delights in working wonders (psalms 77:14).
"immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean."
Immediately I was clean. Immediately the garment that was stained by sin was now replaced with a robe of righteousness so that God almighty sees my sin no more and I am embraced when I walk into the courts of the Most High. All because Jesus touched me! Oh he touched me, oh He touched me!
"But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter."
The leper's testament to the Power of Christ Jesus caused others to seek Him out. May I not be slack in proclaiming the power of Christ's Cross!
Once again I won't to remind myself that I am leprous and I desperately need to be healed!! But who would dare touch me? Who in their right mind would even come near me? I should be walking through my day yelling "Unclean, Unclean!!" If you could only see my thoughts you would not want to come near me! I am no different from this leper! Only my sin is covered by my this skin and his was plain to see (we must remember that leprosy was a curse from God almighty and it was inflicted where there was sin - to keep the history lesson short).
"And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean.""
We must all bow in adoration to the great physician! We must implore Him as the leper did. We must recognize that He does not react because of how passionately we beg Him but "If you will". So it depends not on the amount of so called faith that we can create into an emotional feeling inside of us but it depends solely on Christ and how He wants to display His glory and encourage His bride.
"Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean."
Oh praise the Lord Jesus for being moved with pity and having compassion on "this" leper! Oh praise God for demonstrating His goodness in "this" sinner! ("this" = the writer). Notice that Jesus touched the leper. Never would anyone get within spiting distance of a leper. You just didn't do that! What was He thinking? Why was God almighty in the flesh touching someone of this status? Why would He even be moved with piety? What did He see? Was it the way the leper approached Him? Was it some special word the leper used? No I think Jesus was moved with pity because He saw the devastation of sin. He saw the effects and the power that it has over His creation. Check out these verses:
Romans 5:8-11
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Ephesians 1:7-10
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Colossians 1:15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
We can see that the reconciliation of creation is at the top of God's agenda! I would say its the most important thing to Him because it is how He displays His glory to all of creation in heaven and on earth. And Christ being moved with pity had nothing to do with "this" leper coming to Him in a certain way with certain words but because He saw the wreckage sin has caused and moved with compassion and to the praise of His glorious grace His goodness and loving kindness appeared to me and He stretched out His hand and He saved me. Not because of works done by me but Because He is a God who delights in working wonders (psalms 77:14).
"immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean."
Immediately I was clean. Immediately the garment that was stained by sin was now replaced with a robe of righteousness so that God almighty sees my sin no more and I am embraced when I walk into the courts of the Most High. All because Jesus touched me! Oh he touched me, oh He touched me!
"But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter."
The leper's testament to the Power of Christ Jesus caused others to seek Him out. May I not be slack in proclaiming the power of Christ's Cross!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Searchings in Mark 1:29-34
"And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him." - Mark 1:29-34
Real quick I want to direct our attention to one verse here. "And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them." - vs. 31
I can remember when I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore! I can remember dying in my sickness laying there with no hope but when the goodness and loving kindness of our Lord Jesus appeared He took me by the hand and immediately I was made complete in Him. I then became like Simon's mother-in-law and began to serve the one that healed me of my sickness. Apart from Him taking me by the hand, I would have died with no hope to cling to (except maybe a vain assurance of salvation). My response to Him lifting me out of my sickness is passionate pursuit of Him.
I will spend the rest of my days
seeking how to display
His saving grace
through a life that was saved
from the former things
that are now at work in the sons of disgrace.
Notice that even after Jesus healed one he did not stop. He healed many and cast demons out of many. The demons knew who He was but He kept them quiet. Would I have seen Him for who He was, the Messiah, or would I have just been trying to get a quick fix to a momentary inconvenience. I am sure Jesus was spiritually drained. All the virtue that was leaving Him must have caused Him to weaken but notice that He did not turn them away. He healed and healed and lifted those in darkness into marvelous light. What would it be like to have the entire city at your door? how long would it have took to heal those that He did? Did He pass by some and heal others? Or did He heal all? Why was the whole city there? Were they there to hear Him teach or to see a miracle?
Regardless of the particulars, Jesus healed many and freed those oppressed. Healing power flowed from His hands, person after person after person. And when it was all quiet, and more than likely totally exhausted from the day, Jesus did not spend the night recuperating by sleeping. No, He retreated to the Father. "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." - vs.35
May we remember that it was Jesus that took us by the hand and that man can not live by bread alone. We must go to the throne of grace to find help, healing, and strength.
Grace and Peace!
Real quick I want to direct our attention to one verse here. "And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them." - vs. 31
I can remember when I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore! I can remember dying in my sickness laying there with no hope but when the goodness and loving kindness of our Lord Jesus appeared He took me by the hand and immediately I was made complete in Him. I then became like Simon's mother-in-law and began to serve the one that healed me of my sickness. Apart from Him taking me by the hand, I would have died with no hope to cling to (except maybe a vain assurance of salvation). My response to Him lifting me out of my sickness is passionate pursuit of Him.
I will spend the rest of my days
seeking how to display
His saving grace
through a life that was saved
from the former things
that are now at work in the sons of disgrace.
Notice that even after Jesus healed one he did not stop. He healed many and cast demons out of many. The demons knew who He was but He kept them quiet. Would I have seen Him for who He was, the Messiah, or would I have just been trying to get a quick fix to a momentary inconvenience. I am sure Jesus was spiritually drained. All the virtue that was leaving Him must have caused Him to weaken but notice that He did not turn them away. He healed and healed and lifted those in darkness into marvelous light. What would it be like to have the entire city at your door? how long would it have took to heal those that He did? Did He pass by some and heal others? Or did He heal all? Why was the whole city there? Were they there to hear Him teach or to see a miracle?
Regardless of the particulars, Jesus healed many and freed those oppressed. Healing power flowed from His hands, person after person after person. And when it was all quiet, and more than likely totally exhausted from the day, Jesus did not spend the night recuperating by sleeping. No, He retreated to the Father. "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." - vs.35
May we remember that it was Jesus that took us by the hand and that man can not live by bread alone. We must go to the throne of grace to find help, healing, and strength.
Grace and Peace!
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