Post by Woody Williams on Jun 20, 2007 7:01:56 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Luke 5:17-26
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One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law
were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and
Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to
heal. Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed.
They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but
finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on
the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the
middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he
said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." Then the scribes and the
Pharisees began to question, "Who is this who is speaking
blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" When Jesus
perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you raise
such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins
are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? But so that you
may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins", he said to the one who was paralyzed , "I say to you, stand up and
take your bed and go to your home." Immediately he stood up before
them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home,
glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God
and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things
today."
Devotional
----------
Jesus encountered religious leaders in Israel who had placed human
restrictions on receiving grace and healing from God. Jesus broke
through these restrictions, both in spiritual as well as physical
healing. Jesus was the presence of God's grace being poured out for
the sake of all people at any time of the day or week. The blinded
religious leaders were so trapped in their own ways they were blind
to the grace of God. But, the people clearly saw what God was up to
in Jesus.
Prayer
--------------
Help me recognize your surprising grace when it comes near me, O God.
Amen
----------
One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law
were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and
Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to
heal. Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed.
They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but
finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on
the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the
middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he
said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." Then the scribes and the
Pharisees began to question, "Who is this who is speaking
blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" When Jesus
perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you raise
such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins
are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? But so that you
may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins", he said to the one who was paralyzed , "I say to you, stand up and
take your bed and go to your home." Immediately he stood up before
them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home,
glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God
and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things
today."
Devotional
----------
Jesus encountered religious leaders in Israel who had placed human
restrictions on receiving grace and healing from God. Jesus broke
through these restrictions, both in spiritual as well as physical
healing. Jesus was the presence of God's grace being poured out for
the sake of all people at any time of the day or week. The blinded
religious leaders were so trapped in their own ways they were blind
to the grace of God. But, the people clearly saw what God was up to
in Jesus.
Prayer
--------------
Help me recognize your surprising grace when it comes near me, O God.
Amen