Read Mark 2:1-12
Are You Sure? I’m CONFIDENT!
Jesus returned to Capernaum and was residing at his house. Many people began to come and enter into his home until it was packed full. There was no room for anyone to even enter through the door. Jesus began speaking God’s word to them.
In the meantime, four men brought to Jesus a paralytic. But because they could not enter the house, they took the man on the roof of the house. They tore a hole in the roof and then lowered the paralytic down before Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Immediately, the religious leaders began to call Jesus a blasphemer in their hearts. So why did Jesus say to the man that his sins were forgiven when in fact he was lowered so he could be healed physically?
1. It was a common belief amongst the people that if you were sick it was because of sin in your life. So Jesus wanted to let the people see that he did have power to forgive and to heal.
2. Healing the people gave evidence to the religious leaders that he was God and able to forgive sins. So when Jesus healed the man, in essence he was letting the religious leaders know that he was God, Emmanuel.
3. And perhaps Jesus was letting people know that the greatest miracle isn’t the physical healing but the forgiveness of sins.
I’m amazed at the faith and confidence displayed by:
1. The four men. They believed in what God could do. It was because of their faith and confidence that the paralytic was healed. Can I give you a challenge? What are you struggling with? I challenge you to go to four godly praying people and ask them to pray on your behalf for your specific need. Pick four people who will pray by faith and with confidence that God will do a miracle.
2. I’m amazed at the confidence and Faith of Jesus. He spoke with confidence, as Emmanuel, God With Us. He spoke with confidence as one who can both forgive sins and heal the sick.
As representatives of Christ, May our faith and confidence not be limited by how worrisome and fearful our situations are. No! In fact our faith and confidence should be that which rises above our worrisome and fearful dilemmas. Our faith and confidence should be that which helps us become overcomers and people of victory versus living in worry and fear.
Know who you are in Christ and then rise above the obstacles with faith and confidence. Let people see and hear your words of faith and confidence. “I believe God is going to do a miracle!”
