Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS OF SINS

Mark.2:1-12


          In this passage, the evangelist St. Mark narrates a healing incident that took place in a house at Capernaum. Jesus Christ, the paralyzed man, his four friends, and scribes are the characters in this scene. The paralyzed man's need moved his friends to action, and they brought him to Jesus. Since Christ is a God of compassion and mercy, he firstly forgave the sins of the paralyzed. Having heard the words of forgiveness of sins from Jesus, the scribes criticized him for blasphemy. Moments later Jesus healed the paralyzed man. It is important to note that Jesus met the paralyzed man's spiritual need before giving attention to the physical need. Christ revealed that he was the Son of Man, the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world.

This passage mainly portrays two truths. Firstly,  Christ has the authority to forgive sins. Secondly, faith in the healing power of Christ is essential for wholeness.

1. Faith in the forgiving power of Jesus - Jesus has the authority to forgive sins since he is God. The New Testament reveals that Jesus is a man of compassion and mercy. God will never forsake those who truly repent. When we repent, we trust in the forgiving power of Christ. Kindness and mercy are the basis of his forgiveness. Forgiveness is an invisible action. Jesus healed the man visibly to prove that his invisible act of forgiving sins was also effective. His healing demonstrated that he had authority from God to do both. 

2. Faith in the healing power of Jesus - Healing is a process in which the wholeness of body, mind, and spirit is important. Christ always approached people holistically. For him healing is not just the well-being of the body, rather, it touches all aspects of human life. Healing is a spiritual process that is achieved through the forgiveness of sins in which faith in Christ is a decisive element. 

What made Christ heal the paralyzed? It is because of the strong faith of those four friends. Their love, compassion, and faithful action towards the paralyzed man compelled Jesus to heal him. We should have faith in the faithfulness of God. The paralyzed man's need moved his friends to action and they brought him to Jesus. When you recognize someone's need, do you act? Or are we one among the scribes who complain and criticize? 

Prayer
 Loving God, help us to have faith in your forgiving power that motivates us to live closely with you. Enable us to trust in your healing power that makes us wholeness. Lord, increase our faith to walk with you always. Amen.

Thought for the Day
 Faith in the faithfulness of God makes us strong and courageous.

REV DR K JAMESON
J M M Study Center

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