Mark 2: The Authority to Forgive Sin

Today’s reading is Mark 2.

In the beginning of the gospel, Jesus was anointed to be king by the Holy Spirit of God. Then He demonstrated authority over unclean spirits and unclean sicknesses. He commanded the demons to depart, and they did. He commanded the diseases to depart, and they did. All is looking good for the would-be king. All that is about to change.

Jesus’s popularity had grown. When He returned to Capernaum, great crowds formed. So great, those who needed healing couldn’t reach him. But a particular group of friends would not be stopped. They removed some of the roof from above Jesus and lowered their friend right into the middle of the teaching. In that moment, Jesus lit the match to start the fire throughout Mark’s gospel account.

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
–Mark 2:5 (ESV)

He didn’t have to say this. He could have just healed the man. That is what He had done up to this point. He didn’t command the sickness away, but the sins. “Blasphemy!” the scribes sitting there thought.

This is how Mark demonstrates the beginning of controversy and opposition in Jesus’s work. Don’t miss how important it is. This opposition will continue all the way through His trial in Mark 14:53:65. In similar fashion, had Jesus not said anything, the opposition would have faded. In the monkey trial before the Council, even with trumped up charges and bribed witnesses, they couldn’t get the testimony they needed to accuse Jesus. They were unable, that is, until Jesus spoke up and said they would see the Son of Man seated at God’s right hand. They leveled the charge again: “Blasphemy!” That time, they sentenced Him to death.

But Jesus knew what He was doing both times. After forgiving the paralytic’s sins, He healed the paralytic’s sickness. However, this miracle was not simply for the purpose of healing. Jesus said…

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the paralytic–“I say to you, rise, pick up you bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all.
–Mark 2:10-12a (ESV)

What an incredible king! He has authority over spirits and over sickness. He even has authority over sin. Sin cannot remain in His presence. When He commands it to depart, it goes. And the man was forgiven.

That is a really big deal. Why would any of us want to surrender to King Jesus? Because King Jesus has the authority to forgive our sins.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Mark 2.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Mark 2 prompt or improve your praise of God?

Intolerant

Today’s reading is Matthew 11.

Back in Matthew 10:15, Jesus had told the apostles whoever refused to listen to them would not fare even as well as Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of their judgment. Now, in Matthew 11:24, He says the same thing to the towns and villages themselves because they are rejecting His teaching. Remember, this is right on the heels of Jesus explaining the Jews were rejecting Him because He wasn’t dancing to their tune.

It will be more tolerable for Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon than for Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida because these latter three had seen more evidence. Jesus had done His amazing works among them. These towns of Israel had more access to God’s word, will, and work and would be judged more strictly.

Question: Where does that leave today’s towns, villages, cities, counties, parishes, states, territories, and countries? Admittedly, I am thinking from my experience in my own country, the USA. The Bible has been the highest selling book in the Western world for generations. We can find hard copies of the Bible for mere dollars. If someone has access to a computer (think: public library) or a smart phone, he or she can have a Bible for free. I doubt there is a single person in this country that hasn’t at least heard of the Bible. I doubt there are many that don’t at least know the Bible is considered to be the Word of God by lots of people. Where does that leave us?

We have all we need. We have the easiest and greatest access to it in all of history. Understand what this will mean for our day of judgment. As much as our generation wants to talk about tolerance, we need to know that the coming day of judgment will not be very tolerant for us. If we reject Jesus, it won’t be for lack of God shining the light on Him. God is not going to be very tolerant on us if we reject Jesus. In fact, He is going to be downright intolerant. By the way, lets not forget this is going to include this generation that demands Jesus play by their rules. We may convince ourselves we are following Jesus, but those among us who change the rules and remake Jesus in our own image will not be tolerated in the judgment.

Do you have ears? Please, hear what Jesus is saying to His generation and to ours.

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 11.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Why do so many ignore the coming day of judgment?
3. Why do so many who ignore Jesus think that even if there is a day of judgment they will be tolerated?
4. What is the only way for us to be tolerated in the day of judgment?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?

More Bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah

Today’s reading is Matthew 10.

I get it. It’s not usual for a daily devotional reading to be centered around a passage of judgment. Usually, we try to find something uplifting and encouraging. Usually, we try to find something that makes the reader feel good. Every once in a while, however, we have to remember what is at stake. Judgment is coming.

Please, understand what Jesus is saying. Do you recall what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah? Do you recall the intense judgment? Do you recall that only three people survived that judgment? Fire and brimstone rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot and his daughters were the only ones to make it to safety. How do you suppose the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah are going to fare in the final judgment? It is possible Jesus is actually saying, “Do you remember how awful it was for Sodom and Gomorrah on their day of judgment? That day was easier on them than the day of judgment on the towns of Israel who ignore My ambassadors will be when it comes.”

I have no doubt that was in part a reference to the coming judgment in 70 AD when God used Rome to bring judgment on the Jews and destroy Jerusalem. However, there is no doubt the ultimate fulfillment is for anyone who ignores the word of Jesus given through His apostles, the final judgment will be worse than it was or will be for those who were judged in Sodom and Gomorrah.

Please, understand what is at stake for us. Jesus isn’t saying, “I’m coming. If you don’t measure up, I’m going to judge you.” He is saying, “Judgment is coming. If you turn to Me, I’ll save you from it.”

Will you turn to Jesus? Can we help you do so?

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 10.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. Why don’t we like to think about a coming judgment?
3. Why do we need to think about the coming judgment?
4. What advice would you give to others to encourage them to turn to Jesus before the coming judgment?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?