SCRIPTURE: Luke 5:12-26
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
1. “When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him” – Desperation, the key to seeking the Lord.
2. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” – If only He was always willing when we asked Him. The issue is not whether He is able, but whether He is willing. Many people pleas with the Lord in desperation, saying what this man says. But Jesus does not say back “I am willing, be clean!” He has His reasons, and we are to be surrendered to Him and to His purpose. But oh to hear these words, “I am willing, be clean!”
3. “Don’t tell anyone…” Again, keeping it quiet to protect Himself from being hindered by the crowds, and from their misunderstanding of His mission.
4. “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them” – Jesus comes to fulfill the Law of Moses. At this point He is still “under the Law”, and so He tells the man to honour what the Law commands (Leviticus 14:2-32). This does not make this Law universal and applicable for new covenant believers, it just shows that Jesus recognized His timing in the unfolding plan of God. This is the same for what He says about tithing. He endorses it as an old covenant command, but after His resurrection it is no longer commanded.
5. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed… The power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick” – I see a connection between His close relationship with the Lord and the anointing on His life. Often we lack the power of the Lord because we are not present for the Lord.
7. “They went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus” – It takes a lot of nerve to put a hole in a neighbour’s roof, they must have been very loving and determined for their friend!!!
8. “When Jesus saw their faith” – Note that it is not the faith of the paralyzed man, but of his friends. The Lord honours the faith of friends who bring a loved one before the Lord. This ought to encourage us when we pray for those that we love.
9. “Who can forgive sins but God alone… the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – Slowly Jesus is revealing to the people and the Jewish leaders that He is not just an ordinary Rabbi, He is the Son of God. This is a HUGE claim for Jesus to make, one that makes Him either the Lord, or a lunatic or a liar. It is the height of arrogance and blasphemy for Him to do what only God could do, namely forgive sins. Keep in mind, forgiveness in the old covenant was declared through the temple and the priests, so Jesus is challenging the whole Jewish system of religion, claiming to be greater than the temple, the Law, and the sacrifice.
PRAYER:
Lord, grant me the faith and determination to seek You first, and to trust that You are Who You say You are, and to honour You with my whole heart and life! Amen.
Thanks to each one of you for your comments. I think there are a number of us who read them each day who do not always leave our own comments but draw strength and encouragement from yours. I especially appreciate the ‘exegesis approach’ being used ….thanks Norm.
As I read these scriptures this morning I feel the Spirit teaching me these things;
vs 13 – How often I assume that Jesus isn’t willing or won’t find me worthy enough so how often I don’t even ask…..
vs. 16 – How many times I convince myself I just can’t take the time to be alone with my Father especially when the demands and busyness are most overwhelming. Are these not the most important times to take the time to be strengthened and renewed by His power? I remember when I made every effort to be alone with Him and guarded that time with every ounce of my being. I want that back. Help me by Your Spirt LORD to discipline my life in that way once again.
vs. 18-19 LORD, how hard do I try/ make the effort to lay my friends, my loved ones and even myself before You. Yes, I pray but would I actually remove a roof to get to You? LORD, teach me, mold me and shape me, equip and empower me to become this kind of determined, motivated servant in Christ.
God, thank You for the healing that has taken place in my heart. Please continue to renew me, heal me and strengthen me in YOU! Thank You for not giving up on me even though I had given up. Thank You for holding me close, for always walking with me even when I was determined to push You away. It is wonderful to be able to once again call You Abba and experience it with all my heart, to sense Your Presence and weep with tears of holiness and awe. Only You LORD, only You…. LORD, let Your Spirit flow…… In my life LORD, be glorified…..
Jesus was in contact with those who were the undesirables. Yet how often do I keep my distance from those who do not fit the mold? Help me Lord to meet the needs of the people you have placed before me.
Being renewed in the Lord is important. As Jesus withdrew to lonely places and prayed, I need to find times to withdraw and renew myself. It is in His power I travel each day but I must spend time in His presence – talking with my God.
It is good to be in the company of friends who have great faith. They too are encouragers as shown by the paralytic man. They too had great faith! Help me Lord to bring the needs of my friends to You in prayer.
Help me to see the great things You do among Your people also today.
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.