There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 130
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. [Psalm 130:3-4]
How aware am I of my sin, do I feel the weight of my shame and guilt?
Does it bring me down to the depths to reflect on the dark side of my heart?
And do I try to hide this from God, or do I come to Him just as I am, for mercy?
What if we saw our sin as God sees it, how would that make us feel?
This psalm expresses the great hope that God does not treat us as we deserve.
Put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem us from all our sins. [Psalm 130:7-8]
Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” [Matthew 9:2]
The man is paralyzed, his depths are caused by his physical disability.
But Jesus sees something else, a deeper concern – his sin.
We do not know what specifically Jesus had in mind when He pronounced forgiveness, but I suspect the man did; he didn’t seem to object to Jesus’ forgiveness.
We can think of our physical, external needs, but how would we react if we heard Jesus say to us, ‘take heart son (or daughter), your sins are forgiven!’
I think we would know what He was walking about…
At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home. [Matthew 9:3-7]
Technically they are right, unless Jesus is not just another human being.
Jesus makes the bold claim to be the Messiah, the Son of Man that Daniel talked about [Daniel 7:13-14], and that He also has the authority to forgive and to heal.
But notice how Jesus implies that healing is the easier miracle, that the more serious, more difficult, more important miracle is forgiveness.
Most of our prayers deal with external needs and wants, but what we really need from God is forgiveness and freedom from sin.
This is what brings us into the depths; it’s more serious than being paralyzed!
Why, because if God kept a record of all our sins, we would all be paralyzed – who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. [Psalm 130:3-4]
Don’t focus on your external needs or wants, seek His mercy and forgiveness and He will forgive and free you to live and serve for Him!
PRAYER:
Lord, I need forgiveness. Help me to take heart and know that my sins are forgiven too.