Focus:
kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
(
FaithOfJesus thread begun by r
RandyP )
Today's Verse:
kjv@Mark:2:1-12
kjv@Mark:2:1 @ And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
kjv@Mark:2:2 @ And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
kjv@Mark:2:3 @ And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
kjv@Mark:2:4 @ And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
kjv@Mark:2:5 @ When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
kjv@Mark:2:6 @ But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
kjv@Mark:2:7 @ Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
kjv@Mark:2:8 @ And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
kjv@Mark:2:9 @ Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
kjv@Mark:2:10 @ But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
kjv@Mark:2:11 @ I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
kjv@Mark:2:12 @ And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Today's notes:
Context:
- Before - I will
- After - need of a physician
Key Concepts:
What is God's righteousness observed doing?:
- making itself known through the preaching by Jesus of the word
- recognizing the faith and ingenuity of the friends that brought the man in to have Jesus heal him, recognizing the friction of reasoning within the crowd, using the occasion to teach a broader concept
- linking the concepts of healing of disease and the forgiveness of sins in an attempt to demonstrate the power over all things given the Son of Man by the Father, leading with the intention to forgive the sins of the man to draw response from the onlookers, countering with command to arise to prove both forms of authority true
What does this tell us about God's righteousness?:
- If God's righteousness was known by man, it wouldn't need to be preached by Him, neither shown in teachable actions.
- The faith of others has afforded this man the opportunity to be in the presence of Jesus. It is left to the Father's confirmation of Jesus to do the rest.
- Both healing and forgiveness appear to be operating on an individual one on one bases.
- All these seemingly separate (compartmentalized) things we reason are actually one whole thing in God's eyes. The problem becomes convincing man of the inclusion of the more difficult less physical elements. Opportunity is taken here to use the undeniable things amazing but now familiar to illustrate their connection to the utterly unfamiliar.
How is man reacting?:
- religious = combative, reluctant to believe equation to Son of God
- most others = amazed and glorified God
Notes:
Notice that the man's sins are forgiven long before the command to arise, yet he did not arise and walk till commanded.
Scripture does not say that the man's sin caused the palsy in this case. It does not say that the man was blocking receipt of the healing because of some type of guilt or lack of remorse. It is just as likely that the sin was in addition to the malady and dealt with by Jesus concurrently to draw out the point being made.
Jesus has healed many/all who have been brought to Him without emphasis on sin or obedience to a direct command. A point has been made because of the reasoning of those critics in the audience, whether it is sin or sickness Jesus has been given power over it.
dict:strongs G2123 easier means better for the toil. Both items are works that only Jesus could do, so the question becomes something only He could answer. To be able to forgive sins requires Him to be the Son of God. It is a privilege at least in this state that is bestowed upon Him by the Father and eventually would require Him to die for those same sins in order to prove it. To be able to heal He has to empty Himself to become flesh, remain emptied to receive the Father's confirming power, bare those strips Himself for our healing. Which is easier? It all seems connected into part of the same larger righteousness.
Key Messages:
What does this say about our present condition?
- Faith is often seen as the magic wand waved that fixes our situation, not so often the simple opportunity we afford ourselves or others to come into the Lord's presence. Some see Jesus as an instrument that encourages and draws out the power we each presumably hold in ourselves. Some see other religious figures or statues or rituals in the same light. In the past few days we've been asked to consider both the Will and Power given to the Son in order to confirm the Father's blessing upon Him alone. Quite a difference of origin and objective!
- One faith is asked to make much more of itself while the other is asked to abandon itself and come into His presence in order to step out into a much bigger and divinely sanctioned faith. The charge of blasphemy is derived from the faith in neither, just the belief in one's superior ability in keeping the old traditions.
Further Resources:
Comment Board:Mark:2:1-12
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Mark:2:1-12 rwp@Mark:2:1-12 mhcc@Mark:2:1-12
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index
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