Called in Authority
The images are stark. National guard troops sleeping on the floor in the U.S. capitol. Workers at state capitol buildings around the country, hurriedly boarding up windows and erecting fencing around their grounds. Historic impeachment proceedings. Arrests and manhunts all over the country. There is a battle being waged in this nation over who has legitimate authority to govern it. As the story of what happened on January 6th continues to come to light, it is clear that there was a planned and coordinated attack on U.S. institutions of power and authority. There is a real battle being waged by those who would illegitimately claim authority. In this week's lesson (Mark 2:1-12), we see that there were those who illegitimately challenged Jesus' authority as the Son of God. I pray this week, that God would lead you to know the One who has been given all authority on earth and in heaven.
And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. (Mark 2:1-4) Jesus came to Capernaum and as he was in this house, people heard where He was and they began gathering to see Him. There were some men who brought someone who was paralyzed to Him to be healed. And because of the crowd that had gathered to be in the presence and healing of Jesus, these brothers determined that they had to find another way to get to the only one who could heal their friend. And because they knew that Jesus was the only one that had the authority to give what their paralytic brother needed, they climbed up to the roof of the house, cut a patch out of it and lowered him down in the very bed he was still lying in. We all stand in need of the Lord's healing. And when you are so broken that you're paralyzed in your condition, don't give up. Call on others who are willing to lift you up and usher you into the presence of the Lord.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:5-7) Here we see those who would assert illegitimate authority were questioning the One in whom the Father had placed all authority. Jesus had spoken healing over the paralytic man. Our first and most pressing condition is the sickness and paralyzing condition brought on by our sin and the deep need we have to daily be forgiven by God. So when Jesus pronounced forgiveness over the paralytic man, He was proclaiming that He is God and He has the power to provide the spiritual healing that this man needed above all else. The experts in the law (scribes) that were there, understood the implications of what Jesus said, and they questioned His authority and claim to be God. Jesus has the power to forgive our most pressing and pervasive problem, the sin that separates us from God and prevents us from being whole.
But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:8-12). Jesus immediately knew what the scribes were thinking, even though they had not spoken a word. And He had them right where He wanted them. Jesus challenged the disbelief of these scholars and experts in the law, in front of the whole crowd. In front of everyone, Jesus demonstrated the legitimacy of His power and authority. He spoke healing over the man's physical condition (there's power in the word!). Without skipping a beat, the man rose up and walked. The whole crowd that was gathered there to see Jesus, saw Jesus' miracle healing of this paralytic man. And they were all amazed, because they had never seen anything like what Jesus had just done, and they began giving God the glory (which is always the purpose of Jesus' miracles). The Lord is a rewarder of our faith. And He will do things we have never imagined or saw before, if we just bring our problem to Him and trust Him.
There is so much going wrong in our country right now, pandemic, insurrection, death, hatred, racism, sexism, abuse, etc. It all stems from being in a world that is lost in sin. We need healing! And the healing that we need is found only in the power and authority of the Lord. It begins with Him. If we are looking anywhere else, we are lost. Those who are looking at Trump and are threatening acts of violence and hatred are lost. Yes, it is a dark time in America. But in his last sermon message given the night before his assassination, Dr. King said "Only when it's dark enough, can you see the stars". It may just be dark enough in America for us to see the One who proclaimed "I am the light of the world"... let us pray that it is.
I'll see you in Sunday School!
Blessings
