Belonging - Day 11
Mark 2:7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
And there it is. The criticism, the anger, and the righteous indignation. These men were not used to someone saying the things that Jesus was saying. And truthfully, Jesus was saying things that no normal person would dare to say. He is taking the prerogative of God and wielding it as if it was his right. Which of course, we know now that it was, but for those experiencing this for the first time, the words would have been inflammatory.
Jesus was willing to say these words because he knew who the father was and he was sure that he had the power to not only forgive sins, but to also heal the man physically. He was taking authority that few, if any, had been willing to take. In fact, if anyone today would take that same authority, we would have the same reaction as those pharisee’s that heard what he said.
Have you ever heard someone say something that they had no business saying? I get to work with healthcare professionals often in my consulting, and I am so impressed by what they know, their field of study, and how they have become experts in their fields. What constantly fascinates me, however, is how someone who has googled one thing one time will push back on those professionals, as if they actually have the authority to make the pronouncements they do, as if they have studied this particular field as long as the experts.
Jesus was taking authority that he and the father shared. It was not a stretch for Jesus to forgive someone of a sin or sins. However, when we step out of our areas and assume authority over someone else without actually having that authority, it can be pretty disconcerting, and in fact, it might well be offensive.
The people around Jesus did not all understand why he was willing to make such claims. But we often have the same issues with believing that Jesus is really all that he says that he is. His claims come from heaven, and it is hard for us to understand what heaven really is, and the power that it has in our lives.
Jesus made claims to not only heal, but to heal our sins, and that makes all the difference in the world.
And there it is. The criticism, the anger, and the righteous indignation. These men were not used to someone saying the things that Jesus was saying. And truthfully, Jesus was saying things that no normal person would dare to say. He is taking the prerogative of God and wielding it as if it was his right. Which of course, we know now that it was, but for those experiencing this for the first time, the words would have been inflammatory.
Jesus was willing to say these words because he knew who the father was and he was sure that he had the power to not only forgive sins, but to also heal the man physically. He was taking authority that few, if any, had been willing to take. In fact, if anyone today would take that same authority, we would have the same reaction as those pharisee’s that heard what he said.
Have you ever heard someone say something that they had no business saying? I get to work with healthcare professionals often in my consulting, and I am so impressed by what they know, their field of study, and how they have become experts in their fields. What constantly fascinates me, however, is how someone who has googled one thing one time will push back on those professionals, as if they actually have the authority to make the pronouncements they do, as if they have studied this particular field as long as the experts.
Jesus was taking authority that he and the father shared. It was not a stretch for Jesus to forgive someone of a sin or sins. However, when we step out of our areas and assume authority over someone else without actually having that authority, it can be pretty disconcerting, and in fact, it might well be offensive.
The people around Jesus did not all understand why he was willing to make such claims. But we often have the same issues with believing that Jesus is really all that he says that he is. His claims come from heaven, and it is hard for us to understand what heaven really is, and the power that it has in our lives.
Jesus made claims to not only heal, but to heal our sins, and that makes all the difference in the world.
- What would you do if someone said they had forgiven your sins? Would you have a hard time believing?
- Do you think the Pharisees were reasonable in their misunderstanding?
- Which is easier, to heal or to forgive? Or are they the same things?
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