Hello everyone,
Thought I’d share a peerie story with you from yesterday. I was cycling home from work (in Aberdeen) and was going round a peerie round-about when a car almost knocked me over. It was a bit scary, but also I was surprised that I just stopped and didn’t want to cycle on. I was paralysed with fear for a split second, and even afterwards it took a peerie start to get going with confidence again. The driver carried on, and so did I. Paralysis doesn't just have to be physical, it can be emotional or even spiritual.
There’s a fascinating story in chapter 2 of Mark’s gospel, which talks of a man who was physically paralysed, being brought to Jesus by friends who desperately lowered him through a roof into a crowded room to where Jesus was. There were lots of “religious” people there who were against Jesus and they thought Jesus was bonkers when he told the paralysed man "your sins are forgiven!" Jesus could read the minds of those religious leaders (called the Scribes). The Scribes were very clever, they knew that only God has the power to forgive sins. By claiming to forgive sins, Jesus was saying he was God.
There’s a fascinating story in chapter 2 of Mark’s gospel, which talks of a man who was physically paralysed, being brought to Jesus by friends who desperately lowered him through a roof into a crowded room to where Jesus was. There were lots of “religious” people there who were against Jesus and they thought Jesus was bonkers when he told the paralysed man "your sins are forgiven!" Jesus could read the minds of those religious leaders (called the Scribes). The Scribes were very clever, they knew that only God has the power to forgive sins. By claiming to forgive sins, Jesus was saying he was God.
After that, to prove His power and show that he was qualified to forgive sins, Jesus commanded the paralysed man to get up and walk. The man was healed, and Jesus’ power was displayed to everyone there. Everyone was amazed at Jesus, even the unbelieving sceptical Scribes.
Back to being paralysed, you would think that being paralysed and unable to walk was that man’s greatest need, but apparently not. Jesus saw his main need was for forgiveness, and rewarded the faith of both him and his friends. Forgiveness came first!
This passage in mark (Mark 2:1-12) shows that Jesus cared not only for the man’s physical needs, but even more importantly he wanted to make him right with God. Jesus wasn’t just God’s representative, he was God’s Son, who is alive today and is interested in your life and mine. Through Jesus' death and resurrection He continues to change lives every day. If you come to him for forgiveness, with a genuine and sincere heart he will transform your life. Why not have a look at the story of Kaka, former world footballer of the year in 2007, who experienced God’s forgiveness and continues to build his life on the foundation of forgiveness, or speak to a Christian you know, perhaps you could ask them how God has transformed their life.
This passage in mark (Mark 2:1-12) shows that Jesus cared not only for the man’s physical needs, but even more importantly he wanted to make him right with God. Jesus wasn’t just God’s representative, he was God’s Son, who is alive today and is interested in your life and mine. Through Jesus' death and resurrection He continues to change lives every day. If you come to him for forgiveness, with a genuine and sincere heart he will transform your life. Why not have a look at the story of Kaka, former world footballer of the year in 2007, who experienced God’s forgiveness and continues to build his life on the foundation of forgiveness, or speak to a Christian you know, perhaps you could ask them how God has transformed their life.
Well that’s enough for now; hope you are all having a great week. Kaka's story can be found in the clips at the bottom of this page.
Be Blessed
Matthew
