Tuesday 11 December 2012

Tuesday - forgiveness and healing

Prayer:  Almighty God,  come and revive us.  Shine upon us and we shall be saved. We listen to Your Word this day and know that Your Word forgives us always.  Christ is coming!  Amen.

Read  St. Luke  5: 22 – 26
Jesus hears the Pharisees and teachers of the law whispering amongst themselves.  They are gossiping and asking each other how Jesus can forgive sins.  Only God can forgive sins.   

Jesus asks them “Which is simpler… to say ‘I forgive your sins’ or to say ‘Get up and start walking’?”      

We have to take a step back for a moment and realize that those who were ill or sick or disabled were considered to ‘be with sin”.    Either they or someone in their family had sinned and they ended up with the burden of sin placed upon them  (good thing we don’t believe this today!).   

So here the Pharisees and teachers of the law are wondering just what is Jesus doing.    Jesus   forgave the paraplegic man’s sins… which only God can do.   And then Jesus says to the Pharisees and teachers of the law that he could say to the man “Get up and walk” and the man would be healed from his sins.    Jesus then informs them that he has authority to do both….  forgiving of sins and as well as a healing of sins.  
 
The man who was paraplegic  gets up and walks out the door.   Wow!  Talk about a miracle.    The people rub their eyes in disbelief and then they give glory to God.  

This day,  meditate upon the forgiveness of sins and the healing of sins.      Jesus gives us both. 

 During this time of Advent-- this time of Preparing the Way for Jesus,  remember to forgive those who have caused you hurt and to forgive yourself for causing hurt to others.    

Prayer:   Great God,  as we abide in Christ we are supplied with all the spiritual resources that we need in order to fill Your world with peace.  Almighty God,  as we abide in Christ we know that  we are free from fear and have quietness and confidence within.   Merciful God,  as we abide in Christ, we know that we are at one with You and know Your peace which surpasses all understandings.  Amen.

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