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October 7th

The bible reading today is in Mark chapter 2.

“And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭2:1-2‬

Jesus had been traveling through the Galilean region. In that region, a leper came to him. And unlike others, Jesus ministered to him with compassion. In fact, Jesus ministered to him in power.

That leper knew rejection and cruel inhumane treatment from everyone. He probably expected it from Jesus too. But he had heard of the miracles done by his hand and he was desperate. Jesus reached out His hand and touched him and said...”I am willing...be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left the diseased riddled man.

At this point in Christ’s ministry, crowds began to gather to hear him teach and preach with a hope of seeing a miracle. Today Jesus is back home in Capernaum, the headquarters, you might say, of His three-year earthly ministry before His crucifixion and resurrection. Christ’s fame had spread in every direction. Jesus attracted crowds wherever He went. And it was no different in Capernaum.

Jesus preached the word to the overflowing crowd at his house. Mark doesn't tell us what Jesus preached. He simply emphasized the preaching ministry of Jesus.

It seems to me that Jesus was avoiding the streets because they had been turned into a healing campaign venue. Everywhere Jesus went people besieged Him with requests for healing and the casting out of demons. Jesus healed many. But nothing would keep Jesus from preaching the words of God!

So we could say that Jesus took advantage of people‘s curiosity and while they gaped, He preached to them the words of life.

Next...“And friends of Jesus 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.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭

These friends guiding the caravan of the paralyzed man believed Jesus. The four men carrying the paralytic believed Jesus. They so wanted this paralyzed friend to be made whole again. They believed Jesus could and would heal him. But they thought they had to get him into the presence of Jesus in order for Jesus to heal him. So they tore a hole in the roof and lowered the body of the paralytic to the feet of Jesus.

Those friends...that paralytic...they “believed” and they were “determined” to get Christ’s help. And what happened? Jesus healed him and told him to rise and walk!

That was great...But there was something greater that was going in here. Jesus acknowledged the faith of the friends and said to the paralytic, “Son, I forgive you if your sins.”

Is that the something greater, bro Jim? Forgiveness of sin? Well, that was great for sure. But who was the only one who could forgive sin? GOD!

Jesus was claiming to be GOD!

Wow...now that was something greater than all...greater than anything! Praise you, Jesus...Thou art worthy of all of our worship, adoration, and service.

Have a great day