Painted by James Tissot
Mark 2:1-12
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Psalm 126
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
We know this event in the life of Jesus Christ because the Gospels were written by men who knew the call of Jesus to speak and teach of The Son of God.
Someday, because of the gift of Life from the way of Jesus our Lord - we will see the Life. This very event just as Jesus saw this in it's entirety. Just exactly as the event really happened - because those people who have had glimpses of Heaven know that the creator of Heaven created earth.
I'm saying Jesus will make His memories alive for us to see. Our technology - our wisdom - is merely "seeing through the glass darkly" and Jesus will show us His life exactly. We will, in Heaven, sit with Jesus and see His Life!!!
This day will be a prime example of the Joy Jesus had living here with us. As a man and fully God.
When we think of going to Church - we know Church is made up of people - and we all fall short of His Glory. But know this - Jesus died for His Church. The Church continues after 2,000 years from Jesus explaining a non-existent Church would be here to glorify Jesus. When we go to God's House on Sunday, we are sitting in the House of God.
God will feed us - the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Staying in step with the Spirit - we do away with:
sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like - those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The way Jesus ministers - He cleansed impurities. He did not try to hide sin exists. The man in the painting demonstrates helplessness and weakness - but God makes all things possible. God is his strength, healing, and grace. Jesus turns this time into His Father's Glory. God is the center. Because Father God is sufficient - Jesus, The Son of God, calls us His.
The purpose of the Church is to Worship God. To encourage us to live the life God gives us. To press on in humility when the victory is unseen. To give us His Grace when life is good. Walking the path of our lives with faith, in all seasons of our lives.
Father God please be the center of me and the ones I love. We hold on to You, Father God - look to Jesus - for the free gift of Salvation - be within us as the fruit of Your Holy Spirit. We are nourished - in all seasons of our life - we will depend on You and Your steadfast Love will see us through. Amen.
Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD!
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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