There are people that we know who are as spiritually needy as the paralyzed man was physically needy. Are we willing to go the extra mile to try to introduce them to the one person who can take away sin? After all, those are the kinds of people Jesus is looking for: “Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”
The religious leadership was apoplectic that Jesus would claim such a power. Why would they get so upset when Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven you?” Because only God can forgive sins!
Ex 34:5-7 “The LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the LORD’s name. The LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, ‘The LORD! The LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin.”
And yet His ability to heal the man’s condition proved that He could actually do what He claimed!
Jesus’ next encounter with a tax collector further illustrated the lengths He would go to in order to redeem sinners. The religious leadership didn’t know that they needed help. They thought that they had everything under control. It was those who understood that they were sinners who wanted an encounter with Jesus. They were the ones who were ready for salvation, not the leadership who already thought they were righteous.
But it’s not just they recognized religious authorities who question Jesus. The disciples of John even get in on the act! While fasting and prayer are recognized as spiritually good, there was no law that states you have to do them at particular times. The more religious apparently did that twice a week. Jesus tells them that now is not the time for fasting; that time will come (He is alluding to His death). He then goes on to confront them with two illustrations from life. There is a new era coming, and the self-righteous and ceremonial obligations of the old will not fit into it. After the resurrection, everything changes!
Sometimes when we’re busy and are interrupted for one reason or another, we get really annoyed. But Jesus doesn’t! Jesus is busy healing, casting out demons, and is even going to end up raising the dead! And in the midst of it we find people stalking Him, touching Him, and bringing others to Him. In each of the cases, we see Jesus treating the interruptions as divine appointments that also further His mission. How would our lives change if we had that perspective?
Here’s a big question: what is the relationship between faith and healing, and what is our faith in? In other words, is our faith in what Jesus can do, or who Jesus is? We see the blind men confess that Jesus is both “Lord” and the “Son of David,” but we have no mention of how the woman with the discharge of blood views Him. We’re just told that she wants to touch His garment because she believes it will heal her, and Jesus commends her faith. What is she ultimately putting her faith in?
Thought for the day: Are you putting your faith in what Jesus can do for you, or in the nature and character of the one who can do all things? If it’s the latter, then you understand that He will do what is best, and not just what you want.
Luke 22:41-42 (WEB) “He [Jesus] was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’ “
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