Devotionals for February 7, 2023
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READ
Mark 2:1-12
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.
2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.
4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,
7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?
9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?
10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man,
11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
REFLECT
Yesterday, we looked at why the world is broken. Ultimately it is all about sin. It’s not just about our sin, certain individuals sinning, or even groups of peoples, communities, or nations. It is simply that sin exists. Sin corrupts everything. Our bodies, soul, spirit, and the very nature that surrounds us has been corrupted by sin.
When sin entered the world, the curse on humanity was pain, difficulty, and both physical and spiritual death. Our bodies are now cursed to decay and fail us at some point. But that’s not the end of the story…
The Bible has many accounts of physical healing. One of the most poignant stories is that of the lame man who had some great friends. Jesus healed this man’s physical condition, his broken body. How? By forgiveness. God’s miracle of healing our broken bodies comes through forgiveness that only He can bring.
The Bible doesn’t go into detail about how long this man was paralyzed, but other accounts of healing are of people blind since birth, others with leprosy long enough to be outcasts, and one woman who suffered for twelve years. Does physical healing always come immediately? The testimony of these individuals suggests that it does not. But, we are assured of the ultimate healing when our bodies do finally pass away. Our faith, just like the examples of those in scripture, will bring us to God’s ultimate healing through Christ.
APPLY
Q: What are your thoughts about God and healing our physical selves?
Q: How do you bring your healing requests for yourself and for others before God?
Q: Are you the kind of friend that the lame man had?
SING
Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel Church
PRAY
Dear Lord, we know Your plans for us are good and righteous. May our hearts be fixed on the healing yet to come and may we do your will in faith and trust in you.
READ
Mark 2:1-12
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.
2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.
4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,
7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?
9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?
10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man,
11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
REFLECT
Yesterday, we looked at why the world is broken. Ultimately it is all about sin. It’s not just about our sin, certain individuals sinning, or even groups of peoples, communities, or nations. It is simply that sin exists. Sin corrupts everything. Our bodies, soul, spirit, and the very nature that surrounds us has been corrupted by sin.
When sin entered the world, the curse on humanity was pain, difficulty, and both physical and spiritual death. Our bodies are now cursed to decay and fail us at some point. But that’s not the end of the story…
The Bible has many accounts of physical healing. One of the most poignant stories is that of the lame man who had some great friends. Jesus healed this man’s physical condition, his broken body. How? By forgiveness. God’s miracle of healing our broken bodies comes through forgiveness that only He can bring.
The Bible doesn’t go into detail about how long this man was paralyzed, but other accounts of healing are of people blind since birth, others with leprosy long enough to be outcasts, and one woman who suffered for twelve years. Does physical healing always come immediately? The testimony of these individuals suggests that it does not. But, we are assured of the ultimate healing when our bodies do finally pass away. Our faith, just like the examples of those in scripture, will bring us to God’s ultimate healing through Christ.
APPLY
Q: What are your thoughts about God and healing our physical selves?
Q: How do you bring your healing requests for yourself and for others before God?
Q: Are you the kind of friend that the lame man had?
SING
Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel Church
PRAY
Dear Lord, we know Your plans for us are good and righteous. May our hearts be fixed on the healing yet to come and may we do your will in faith and trust in you.