Reflecting God – "Supporting Faith" of The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Tuesday, 5 January 2016 - Embrace Holy Living - Mark 2:1-12

Reflecting God – "Supporting Faith" of The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Tuesday, 5 January 2016 - Embrace Holy Living - Mark 2:1-12RG AUDIO 010516

Mark 2:1 After a while, Yeshua returned to K’far-Nachum. The word spread that he was back, 2 and so many people gathered around the house that there was no longer any room, not even in front of the door. While he was preaching the message to them, 3 four men came to him carrying a paralyzed man. 4 They could not get near Yeshua because of the crowd, so they stripped the roof over the place where he was, made an opening, and lowered the stretcher with the paralytic lying on it. 5 Seeing their trust, Yeshua said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Some Torah-teachers sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “How can this fellow say such a thing? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God?” 8 But immediately Yeshua, perceiving in his spirit what they were thinking, said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier to say to the paralyzed man? ‘Your sins are forgiven’? or ‘Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk’? 10 But look! I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He then said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you: get up, pick up your stretcher and go home!” 12 In front of everyone the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and left. They were all utterly amazed and praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”"Supporting Faith" by Author: Gary Shank
The paralytic man had friends who were determined to bring him to Jesus, friends who refused to give up no matter what the obstacle. They simply believed that if they could get him to Jesus, he would be healed of the paralysis that bound him. Their primary concern was not the same as that of Jesus. They sought healing of the body, while Jesus came to heal the soul. In forgiving sins, Jesus chose what was greater. Physical needs bind and limit in this life. The chains of sin, however, imprison for eternity.
One phrase stands out: “When Jesus saw their faith.” It wasn’t the faith of the paralytic that got Jesus’ attention, but that of his determined friends. They had faith to do what the man could not; faith that carried him beyond his own limits; faith that refused to quit. Because of their faith, their collective prayers were answered. In the presence of Jesus, this man was both forgiven and healed.
We need faith-bearing friends. May I also offer that kind of faithful support to others.
Hymn for Today: "Oh, the joy of sins forgiv'n (Heimar)" by H. H. Heimar

1. Oh, the joy of sins forgiv’n,

Oh, the bliss the blood-washed know,

Oh, the peace akin to Heav’n,

Where the healing waters flow.

Refrain:

Where the healing waters flow,

Where the joys celestial glow,

Oh, there’s peace and rest and love,

Where the healing waters flow!

2. Now with Jesus crucified,

At His feet I’m resting low;

Let me evermore abide

Where the healing waters flow.

Refrain:

Where the healing waters flow,

Where the joys celestial glow,

Oh, there’s peace and rest and love,

Where the healing waters flow!

3. O, this precious, perfect love!

How it keeps the heart aglow,

Streaming from the fount above,

Where the healing waters flow.

Refrain:

Where the healing waters flow,

Where the joys celestial glow,

Oh, there’s peace and rest and love,

Where the healing waters flow!

4. Oh, to lean on Jesus’ breast,

While the tempests come and go!

Here is blessèd peace and rest,

Where the healing waters flow.

Refrain:

Where the healing waters flow,

Where the joys celestial glow,

Oh, there’s peace and rest and love,

Where the healing waters flow!

5. Cleansed from every sin and stain,

Whiter than the driven snow,

Now I sing my sweet refrain,

Where the healing waters flow.

Refrain:

Where the healing waters flow,

Where the joys celestial glow,

Oh, there’s peace and rest and love,

Where the healing waters flow!

Thought for Today:

"In front of everyone the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and left. They were all utterly amazed and praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”" Matthew 12:

Please pray:
for the parents, siblings, and friends who have people who are differently abled that reall heaing and forgiveness comes to the church through the full acceptance of the people as they are.
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