Monday - Advent 2

Prayer:  God Almighty,  we thank You for calling us out of the shadow of night and into the light of day.  This Advent, may we be a beacon of Your light and serve You continually with hearts full of hope and peace.  Maranatha.  Our Lord is coming.  Amen.

 

Read  St. Luke  5: 17 – 22

 

Coming from a different culture and a different time,  sometimes we miss the “aha” things in the Bible.   Here we read of the story of Jesus teaching.  Three important things come up that we frequently read over and think to ourselves, “humm” then think nothing more of these words.   Jesus was teaching who?   The Pharisees and teachers of the law.   Screech to a halt for a minute… Jesus was teaching the Pharisees and teachers of the law? 

What?   These two groups were known for their devotion to God,  their learning, their devotion to the law, and their knowledge.   So  here are two groups with a lot of education and learning coming to hear what Jesus has to say.   These two groups have come to hear what Jesus is teaching.   Wow!

 

The other extremely important event that happens is St Luke records that the Pharisees and teachers of the law sat down and listened to Jesus.  Sat down!    When teaching or preaching, Rabbis would sit down and speak.   Students would also gather around their Rabbi to hear his words.    So here are the Pharisees and teachers of the law… not a few but Pharisees and teachers of the law from nearly every village in Galilee and Judea, and even as far away as Jerusalem all crowded into a house listening to the words of Jesus.

 

The third important words in this reading is the last sentence in verse 17…. “the healing power of God was on Jesus”.    By these few words,  we know that something is going to happen.

 

In  the midst of this crowd of knowledgeable Pharisees and teachers of the law,  come some men with a paraplegic.   But the house is overflowing with people.   Their determination goes into overdrive.  Instead of saying, “oh bummer.  We can’t do anything”,  they come up with a solution.   Instead of going through the door,  why not go through the roof.   So they haul the paraplegic up the outside steps of the house to the

Roof.  They take off some tiles on the roof (Mama is not going to be happy about that one!)  and let down the paraplegic  right in front of Jesus.  Jesus is impressed with their bold belief and says, “Friend, I forgive your sins”.  With that the paraplegic is healed.

But the Pharisees and teachers of the law are not impressed.   This teacher that they have been listening to has suddenly blasted apart their belief.  Only God can forgive sins.  And here is Jesus forgiving the paraplegic his sins.  Wow.   
Jesus is our healer.    This day,  how will Jesus heal you?

 

Prayer:  Great God, forgive us of all our sins today.  We offer before You those things we have left undone.  We offer before You those people that we have hurt.  We offer before You those prayers we have forgotten to pray.  But we rejoice in Your love knowing that You have already forgiven us through Your Son.  Christ is coming!  Amen.