SCRIPTURE:
And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ʻSon, your sins are forgiven.ʻ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ʻWhy does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?ʻ And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, ʻWhy do you question these things in your hearts?ʻ
Mark 2:3-8
OBSERVATION:
As Paul arrives in Jerusalem, following through on the Spirit’s leading and his appeal to the Ephesian elders, he meets with James and the elders there. After the customary pleasantries he immediately segues into a play by play account of how God is moving among the Gentiles.
APPLICATION:
I definitely don’t want to get stuck on reasoning and questioning, rather then receiving what God so freely offers to me on a daily basis through His word and life lessons. I want to be able to see God’s glory in those things that perhaps don’t all add up in having to be clear; but instead, where I can see the hand of God working, or having faith based on His word and promises. For it is those times where I can’t figure things out, but can cling to a hope in Jesus, that I can trust that He has my welfare in mind. I want to have a heart that receives His faith, and stands on His promises and truths, rather than questions and reasons.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, please guide me to be a man of faith and hope, that does not allow my propensity to want to figure things out in order to wholeheartedly believe. Instead, to be thankful in receiving what you have in store for me; even if what you have in store for me has some bumps and challenges in the journey. May I not be a doubting Thomas or a questioning scribe.
