November 18, 2021 -- Mark 2:12 -- The Greater Miracle

People loved by the Father, in the strength of the Spirit: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so tat they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Mark 2:12 ESV

Jesus was confronted by four friends who had carried a paralyzed man, their friend, into His presence. The crowd was so thick in the house that the men removed a portion of the roof—yes, you read that correctly—and lowered their paralyzed friend through the opening and settled him right at Jesus’ feet. What did Jesus do? Perceiving the man’s greatest need, Jesus forgave the man his sins. Somehow this does not seem as impressive to us as the physical healing which followed. Truth be told, that was in fact, the greater miracle. The miracle of forgiveness comes at the cost of Jesus’ life-long obedience to His Father and His death at the cross. While we were still sinners, utterly rebellious against the grace of God, Jesus died for us. Do not miss the great miracle of His steadfast love demonstrated by this gift of forgiveness.

The physical healing confirms the greater spiritual healing. I am guessing the physical healing had to be preceded by the spiritual healing which the gift of forgiveness brought to him. He was, you could say, paralyzed by his spiritual sickness. No wonder the people said, “we never saw anything like this”! It is the work of God, the Healer, to bring reconciliation through the blood of Jesus Christ and to broadcast this glory by the powerful presence of the Spirit. Is your life a testimony of God’s forgiveness—received into yourself and extended to others?

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

https://youtu.be/Tu2uA6U4Fxg

Copyright © 2021 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.