Published 4/8/19
Read Mark 2:3-7
And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
Reflect
· What do you need Jesus to heal in your life?
· We are cracked--flawed, broken sinners. Do we seal up those cracks and pretend they aren't there? Or acknowledge our weakness, and invite God to in to mend our fractures?
· Does Jesus have your attention? Do you know Him?
Jesus knew what His skeptics were thinking and how they were going to react to His miracles, His teachings ... His mission on Earth. Likewise, God knows our darkest thoughts, anxieties, and fears; He sees what we try to keep hidden from the rest of the world, the worst parts of ourselves.
But we shouldn't feel ashamed or burdened by this, because God always loves us, no matter what; He won't ever abandon us, no matter what lays festering in our darkness. The thing is, God wants access to those dark places; He wants us to let Him in. He wants us to trust Him enough to reveal our truest selves to Him. God takes those dark and ugly parts, shines His light on them and transforms everything into good.
Pray
Lord, help me to know You better. Amen. Ask Jesus to help you give up your own will for the will of God. Ask Him to enable you to daily live a life of spiritual sacrifice for the glory of Christ.