When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark
2.5
The friends of the paralytic man had brought him to Jesus
for healing. Because they could not get him close to Jesus, they climbed to the
roof of the building and made a hole in the roof through which they lowered the
man to Jesus below. Such daring and enterprise was seen by Jesus as evidence of
their faith. He responded by pronouncing immediate forgiveness of sins on the
paralytic.
The next instance that Mark records is the disbelief and
criticism of the ‘teachers of the law’. What a contrast this is to the faith
that has just been displayed. Jesus responds to their negativity with the
positive act of healing the paralytic, showing that He has the power both to
forgive sins and to command healing. The reaction of the onlookers is one of
amazement and praise. Hallelujah!
In this clear contrast between faith and disbelief, I want
to embrace faith. I note also that faith is demonstrated. Jesus responded to
the paralytic and his friends because He saw the evidence of their faith. May
this also be with me!
Lord God,
I thank You for this
further insight. I claim the way of faith. I declare, “I believe”, and I ask
You to help me to overcome any unbelief that might arise, or seek to arise, at
any time.
I pray also that my
faith be demonstrated and that the evidence of faith may be clearly seen in my
life. May my lamp be placed on a stand from which the light of Jesus is clearly
seen shining forth. Amen.
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