Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

Meditations of the Gospel of Mark

July 31, 2020

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man,

“My child, your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 2:5

Mark 2: 1-12

The scene in this healing drama is played out on two levels. The first is simple, and perhaps just a bit facetious. Mark says Jesus was back at his home in Capernaum, which leads me to conclude the house that was packed with visitors was his own home. There he was teaching God’s word when four men tear a hole in his roof and lower a paralyzed man strapped to a mat. Perhaps the sin Jesus is referring to is the sin of destroying his property.

But then the drama takes a turn. The teachers of the religious law who were present objected because only God can forgive sins. Exactly. When Jesus makes the statement, “So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10), his use of this Messianic title makes it clear to all that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth.

My Takeaway: I receive the paralyzed man’s story as an invitation to look deeply within myself. Where does my self-sufficiency end? Where am I lost without God? I also see another invitation. The paralyzed man’s friends took huge risks to help their friend, who could not help himself. Their friendship was love that is self-sacrificing for the good of another. Is there anyone in my life who needs me to love them like that? Am I willing to love like that? Are you?

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

Copyright © 2020 by Alex M. Knight

Publications by Alex M. Knight:

• Seeking the Life in Christ, Meditations on the New Testament and Psalms has been published and is now available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.

• The second edition of  First Think – Then Pray is available on Amazon Kindle.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

Meditations of the Gospel of Mark

July 30, 2020

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him.

“I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”

Mark 1:41

Read: Mark 1: 35-45

As we saw in the previous passage, many people were being drawn to Jesus. At the end of chapter 1, the crowds were so big he could not publicly enter a town anywhere. After Jesus healed this man of leprosy, he gave the man a stern warning not to tell anyone about his healing. The warning was not an effort by Jesus to try to keep the news about his healing powers contained. Rather, it was a warning for the healed man’s benefit.

The disease called leprosy in the Bible had many social implications and caused a person with the disease to be ostracized. There was only one way to return to society; follow the Mosaic law and present yourself to a priest and make an offering in the Temple. Jesus pointed the man to the pathway toward regaining his place in society. There is no indication the man ever heeded the warning and followed his instructions.

My Takeaway: The man healed of leprosy is not alone. I know I have not been obedient to all of Jesus’ claims on my life. Mark’s Gospel has already raised many issues of conviction in my life, and we have only read the first chapter. How are you doing?

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

Copyright © 2020 by Alex M. Knight

Publications by Alex M. Knight:

• Seeking the Life in Christ, Meditations on the New Testament and Psalms has been published and is now available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.

• The second edition of  First Think – Then Pray is available on Amazon Kindle.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit

Meditations of the Gospel of Mark

July 29, 2020

Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit

“The news about Jesus spread quickly

throughout the entire region of Galilee.”

Mark 1:28

Read: Mark 1: 21-34

Why did the news of Jesus spread quickly? The first indication in today’s passage comes in verse 27: “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority!” We heard this earlier this year when we read through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:28-29). As John noted, “So the Word became human and made his home among us” (John 1:14). Jesus is his own authority.

The second indication is the completion of verse 27 and verse 34:

27 - “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!”

34 - So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons.

Jesus taught with confidence and authority. Jesus had such compassion for the people he spent half the night in Peter’s home healing the sick and casting out demons. That was Good News for the people and they were drawn to him. I believe it is still Good News, and authoritative teaching, relying fully on God’s Word, coupled with compassion for people still draw people to God.

My Takeaway: A friend recently posted this quote on his Facebook page: “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on, and no one would know the difference.” (A. W. Tozer)

You think this observation is true for your church?

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

Copyright © 2020 by Alex M. Knight

Publications by Alex M. Knight:

• Seeking the Life in Christ, Meditations on the New Testament and Psalms has been published and is now available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.

• The second edition of  First Think – Then Pray is available on Amazon Kindle.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.