1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to human beings.
My thoughts -
There's a lot going on here that can be dissected and discussed but what blows me away every time I read this story is where Jesus, in verse 2, saw the paralyzed man's friends' faith and healed him. This story mentions nothing about the man's faith. His friends' faith healed him. Do we have faith like that? Can we? Am I reading the wrong things into this story? That always catches my attention and keeps it.
Luke 9:51-56 (TNIV) -
51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them ?" 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.
My thoughts -
I have always found it amusing that the disciples wanted to call down fire to destroy the village that did not welcome Jesus. But Christians today do this in a way. We focus so much animosity towards those who we feel are not "welcoming Jesus" in their lives. While the "God Hates Fags" idiots are one shining (though thankfully rare) example of this more mainstream Christians are a little more subtle in this practice. I'm not sure exactly what we should do or how to best reach the lost but I find it informative that Jesus rebuked the disciples and no fire was called down from heaven that day. If we learn anything about ministry from Jesus it is that we should use less fire and more mercy and should probably break bread with "sinners" more often.
Psalm 126 (TNIV) -
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
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