Mark 2:1-3:6 forms a unit showing the expanding opposition to Jesus from the religious leaders – and it all begins with the deepest human need: forgiveness.

In 2:2 we read that Jesus was preaching “the word” to a crowd gathered in a house – -that is the good news of the gospel (1:14-15), that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, for the forgiveness of sin.

No doubt he crowd gathered to receive or observe healings. But Jesus stuck to His focus on gospel preaching (1:38-39). While caring for all the details of our lives, Jesus is also aware of our deepest need and sees this as the underlying priority. And so should we.

Suddenly one came into the picture, literally into the house through the roof, who became an embodiment of the gospel priority and blessing, for Jesus declared to this man who was paralysed, “Son, your sins are forgiven”.

Was this man and his friends disappointed? Is this really what he expected to hear, or saw that he needed above all else, that this was more important for life than being able to move freely?

What about us – do we set a priority on forgiveness, do we cherish this even if the rest of our life is ‘crippled’ in some way? Is this what we look for through the Ministry of the Word today?

We know the religious leaders presented were shocked and alarmed, and deeply offended for they immediately whispered accusations of blasphemy to each other.

Is this what we believe about Jesus – that He was merely a man, who falsely takes God’s right to Himself? Or do we believe that He is God and has authority to forgive sin? Do we rejoice over His having forgiven us our sin?

Do we even know His forgiveness? If not, ask Him today. It is found in Him and only through Him. Be encouraged by His tenderness as heard in His declaration “Son…”

What difference will forgiveness make to your getting up and leaving church this morning? What impact will it have on your life?

“If You are willing, You can make me clean” (Mark 1:40)

In our passage from Mark this morning we see Jesus continuing to be involved in people’s lives and see yet again His compassion for those in great need.

But in this case it is with a man whose condition we have little connection with – leprosy (though sadly it is apparently on the rise in some aboriginal communities).  Leprosy involved being both a medical and social outcast.

In fact, the attitude to leprosy then was almost exactly that to AIDS today, a mixture of fear and disgust. Some years ago Princess Diana caused a great stir because she hugged an AIDS sufferer. By that act the Princess was said to have shown compassion, and reached out to people who were considered leprous almost, in the modern day context.

But you can’t contract AIDS just by touching a patient; however, you could contract leprosy by contact with a leper, and so the act of Jesus in touching this man would be deemed high risk. He would also be declared ceremonially unclean.

And yet He touched him, and also healed him – but more importantly made the man “clean”. Notice how this was the real nature of the request. Leprosy, because it was a specific OT picture of sin and its effects, left one ceremonially unclean – cut off from the religious life and fellowship of God’s people. This is what he above all sought to have restored to him. And he saw in Jesus an ability to deal with not only the issue in his flesh but also the issue in his heart which was the greater issue and of more far-reaching consequence.

So he came to Jesus in humble, believing, yet submissive faith – “If you will”. And Jesus did not disappoint, but sent him on his way “clean”.

The tragedy is that he left Jesus and acted according to ‘As I will’, doing what seemed good in his own eyes, and as a result hindering Jesus’ work.

What do we learn from that about the condition of our soul? Of the compassion of Christ? Of being His people? Of the Gospel?

A MOTHERS’ DAY CREED

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God,

who was born of the promise to a virgin named Mary.

I believe in the love Mary gave her Son,

that caused her to follow Him in His ministry

and stand by His cross as He died.

I believe in the love of all mothers,

and its importance in the lives of the children they bear.

It is stronger than steel, softer than down, and
more resilient than a green sapling on the hillside.

It closes wounds, melts disappointments,

and enables the weakest child to stand tall

and straight in the fields of adversity.

I believe that this love, even at its best,

is only the shadow love of God,

a dark reflection of all that we expect of Him

in this life and the next.

And I believe that one of the most beautiful sights in the world

is a mother who lets this greater love flow through her to her child,

blessing the world with the tenderness of her touch

and the tears of her joy.

Thank God for mothers, and thank mothers for helping
us understand God!

(Author Unknown)

J A Alexander writes concerning the practice of Jesus in Mark 1:35 that it is ‘the most compelling proof of the necessity of prayer to our spiritual life.’

Did we, do we need such proof? Isn’t very reality of our spiritual life enough to encourage us to seek the face of the Lord in prayer, to know how much we need to spend time communing with our God?
Yet if we are honest with ourselves, regardless of our level of godliness and maturity of our Christian life, that we know we do not spend enough time communing with the Lord in prayer and the Word.
Is it because we think we only need God for the difficult bits of life? Then we have too high a view of ourselves and our abilities.
Is it because we are just so busy in life that it is hard to squeeze in time for God? Then we are busier than God wants us to be!
Spurgeon used to talk about the Prayer Meeting of the church as its powerhouse. We can say the same for the spiritual life of the individual Christian. Is the powerlessness in the face of temptation, in maintaining not only enthusiasm and passion but also steadfastness in serving God with our lives not ultimately traced back here: no or little prayer? And likewise the absence of peace and joy in the midst of life, as well as perception and wisdom in face of life’s challenges and opportunities?
If Jesus needed to pray, how much more so should we! If Jesus cherished times of communion, intimate fellowship with His heavenly Father, in which His thoughts, desires, perspectives and passions were harmonised to His Father’s, how much more so is this true of us!
Her is the essence of prayer: it is not bring our will to God but asking that His will be done on earth. It is not directing but embracing God and His love and will.
Let’s pray! No, I mean it – let’s really begin to pray.