OzThoughts Friday 16th January 2009

OzThoughts Friday 16th January 2009

Mark 2: 1-12 (The Message)
1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren't able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."
6-7 Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, "He can't talk that way! That's blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins."
8-12 Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, "Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, 'I forgive your sins,' or say, 'Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . ." (he looked now at the paraplegic), "Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home." And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, "We've never seen anything like this!"

Today’s reading has two interruptions to Jesus ministry. The first is when he is teaching a large crowd that had gathered at the home to hear him. We know the story of this first interruption well. Four friends are so keen to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus, they remove part of the roof and lower him to Jesus feet.

The second interruption comes as Jesus begins to heal the man. We read: “Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins." ” He is interrupted by the whispering of religious scholars who discuss among themselves a challenge to Jesus’s right to forgive sins. That is the exclusive right of God. It is his work they claim.

Jesus accepts the challenge and tells them he is authorized to forgive sins and heal, and says watch this. He then tells the man to pick up the bed and go home. Then man does it right away.

They can’t believe what they have just seen but praise God for the healing.

Prayer: (Using the Song Book as our Prayer Book).

Lord, here today my great need I am feeling;
Wilt thou not visit my soul once again?
I long to feel thy sweet touch and its healing;
Wonderful Healer, touch me again.

Chorus
Touch me again, touch me again,
Wonderful Healer, touch me again.

Often I've pressed through the throng for the blessing
Which, through my doubting, I've failed to obtain;
Here once again to thy feet I am pressing;
Wonderful Healer, touch me again.

Only in thee can I find liberation,
Cleansing and freedom from sin's hidden stain;
Only in thee can I find full salvation,
Wonderful Healer, touch me again.
Author: William Henry Woulds (1874-1940)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 610
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