PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 2:1-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” (Mark 2:10)
The teachers of the law were partially right, only God can forgive sins…
AND… those that God gives the authority to forgive for Him.
In Genesis 1, God assigned His authority to Adam and Eve as His appointed rulers.
When they failed, God stepped in with a new Adam, the promised Son of Man.
By refusing Satan, Jesus reverses the curse and restores humanity.
Jesus, the restored Adam, does have the authority to declare God’s forgiveness.
But what is more, SO DO YOU AND I! (John 20:22-23)
We are anointed, like Jesus, to represent God on earth.
We do not accomplish God’s forgiveness, but we do announce it.
As forgiven and restored sinners, we let other sinners know, ‘your sins are forgiven’.
People need to know this, and we have been sent to tell them.
Too many people are weighed down by guilt, shame or a sense of unworthiness.
And too often it is Christians that makes them feel this way.
With Jesus, we are God’s agents of grace… let people know they are forgiven!
PRAYER
Lord, Your Spirit has anointed me with authority to share Your forgiveness. What a privilege. Please put someone in my path today that I can share this good news with!
This man was defective – so he would not have been allowed to go to the temple – he was rejected – because someone sinned – in his family and his paralysis was the punishment. Jesus first says what’s most important – he says your sins are forgiven – he assures this man that he is right with God – whatever happens next is extra. Do I think that way? The most important part is to be able to forgive. Assuring others that they are worthy – are forgiven- is the first step to healing! Help me to be a person that gives blessing – helps people to be forgiven and restored like this man was!
Thank for your forgiveness Lord, despite all of the reasons that I don’t deserve it. Through your forgiveness we are healed in spirit, and healed in body by your words – thank you for having our backs no matter how far we have fallen.
Jesus the Healer.
Jesus healed the man – spiritually and physically.
He restored him and walked in His power.
I too am healed by His power in my life in order to live for Him.
The Spirit of the living God helps me daily to walk in His truth.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.