Reading With the People of God #12 - the Good LifeSample

Forgivness and Healing

This passage begins with Jesus arriving in Capernaum by boat. Shortly thereafter, some men bring to Jesus a paralytic. As he begins to heal the paralytic, he encounters opposition from the teachers of the law. Jesus is going to use this to show his power to heal the physical, but, more importantly, he is the God who heals our sins.

Jesus tells the paralytic,

“Your sins are forgiven.”(See Mark 2:1-12)

Jesus, being the Great Physician, knows our sins must be forgiven for true and complete healing. The teachers of the law knew only God could forgive sins. Therefore, Jesus' words sparked in them thoughts of blaspheming. Knowing their thoughts, this was the perfect setting to proclaim his kingdom and his authority. He did this so that you and I may know He has the authority to forgive and heal us from sin.

Jesus’s actions come under scrutiny, this time by the Pharisees. After calling Matthew to follow him, Jesus is seen dining at Matthew’s house along with tax collectors and others considered sinners. His disciples are questioned about their teacher's actions. Jesus, hearing this, responded, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." We are all sinners, sick with sin, and need forgiveness and healing. Our healing and forgiveness should never put us in a position of arrogance and judgment but rather grace and mercy.

Jesus' actions are questioned again, this time by John’s disciples. They were confused as to why Jesus and his disciples did not fast. Jesus answered with two analogies: the bridegroom and the wineskins. He illustrated that while the bridegroom is here, it is not a time for fasting; no one fasts at a wedding. Later, when the bridegroom is taken away, they will fast.

The wineskin analogy sums up all these events. Jesus has come to do a new work. When the old traditions were put on him, they broke because he was making all things new. He came to call the sick, the castoffs, and the untouchables and give us new life in Him. Just as new wine is not to be put in old wineskins, once forgiven, we are not to return to our old ways but to follow Jesus and his ways.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

* Primer contributed by Laurie Harry, Member of Cornerstone Church and Follower of Jesus Christ