Devotionals for October 4, 2022
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READ
Luke 5:17-26
One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
REFLECT
The Pharisees’ question, “Who can forgive sins by God alone?” is correct. So Jesus demonstrates His compassion and power over sin for all to see. He doesn’t just address the man’s physical ailment. Jesus digs deeper and forgives the man’s deepest need, his guilt.
APPLY
Q: What does this scene reveal about the man’s friends and the heart of Jesus?
Q: What do you need to bring to Jesus to heal and to forgive by His power alone?
Q: Who do you have around you who helps you come near to Christ like the friends in this story?
Q: What do you need to bring to Jesus to heal and to forgive by His power alone?
Q: Who do you have around you who helps you come near to Christ like the friends in this story?
SING
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Lord, your Kingdom is full of mercy and forgiveness. Help me to always come near to you, Jesus, and never hide in shame. Help me to be merciful as you are merciful. Amen.
Lord, your Kingdom is full of mercy and forgiveness. Help me to always come near to you, Jesus, and never hide in shame. Help me to be merciful as you are merciful. Amen.