Faith Through the Roof (Monday)

Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus came back to Capernaum a few days later, it was heard that He was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3 And some people *came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. 4 And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, *said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, *said to them, “Why are you thinking about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He *said to the paralyzed man, 11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.” 12 And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

In Mark 2, Jesus was surrounded by crowds of people, who were trying to hear His teaching or experience His healing. The paralytic’s friends cut a hole in the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching. Can you imagine if something like that happened today? We would be calling the police, running for cover, or at the very least, yelling at them to stop. Not Jesus. Jesus did not scold the men for “cutting in line”, causing property damage, or scaring the people inside the house. Jesus saw their faith. As He had said to Samuel hundreds of years before in 1 Samuel 16:7b, “for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Jesus is the LORD. He sees our hearts, and He chooses to show compassion and mercy. Unlike the scribes in the room, these friends had not underestimated Jesus’ power and care for them. When Jesus forgave the man’s sins, He was claiming the authority of God. The scribes said nothing, but thought Jesus was blaspheming. Jesus, God with us, saw their hearts and responded. In His great compassion, Jesus healed the man’s outward illness to help the people understand who He is. Jesus has power over sickness, and because He is God, He alone has the power to forgive sin.

Jesus is God. He sees your heart. He sees your faith. He sees your struggles. He sees your sin. Do not underestimate His love and care for you. Do not underestimate His ability to heal what is broken inside you. Yes, He can heal our outside bodies. (Praise the Lord for that!) Do not underestimate His power to heal you of your sin as well. Jesus has already paid the ransom for your sin by His death on the cross. Now for all who believe, the Holy Spirit walks with you, day by day, giving you the power you need to get up and walk with Him.
 
Psalm 103:1-5 says, “Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits; Who pardons all your guilt, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with favor and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”
 
Believers who suffer with physical illness can rest assured that our suffering is temporary. Whether He heals us on this earth or in Heaven, we know the Lord will heal us. Awaiting healing is no easy task. What can help you focus on the victory Christ has won, rather than on the temporary (and often great) pain you feel now?

The order in which the psalmist lists God’s benefits matches the order in which Jesus healed the paralyzed man in Mark 2. What does this tell you about the problem of sin?
 
 
Lord, forgive me for the times I have underestimated your compassion and strength to heal. Thank You for the health I have. Let me not be so distracted by my physical needs that I become blind to my greatest need for You. Thank You for taking the punishment for my sin, so I can be forgiven. Please grow my faith in You and teach me to walk with You each day.