Seeing It as it Is

S - Mark 2:5-12 (NLT): "Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven." But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there said to themselves, "What? This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins!" Jesus knew what they were discussing among themselves, so he said to them, "Why do you think this is blasphemy? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, `Your sins are forgiven' or `Get up, pick up your mat, and walk'? I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!" The man jumped up, took the mat, and pushed his way through the stunned onlookers. Then they all praised God. "We've never seen anything like this before!" they exclaimed."

O - Faith, authority, forgiveness and healing are all working in this occurrence. All of these essentials turn on, rest on and are validated by the person of Jesus. Jesus is 'Jesusing' at this moment. He could have simply healed, wowed the crowd and gone on with his teaching.  Instead, he draws us all in by bringing up the greatest issue for every human - sin.  He is about the Father's work, he is about the Kingdom's nearness, he is about God's love for the whole world.  This miracle and the dialogue which accompanies it is for believers and skeptics, for the strong and the helpless, for the well informed who are missing the point and for uninformed who aren't sure there is one, for participants and onlookers alike.  How generous.  How loving.  How marvelous … it really is too wonderful.  Jesus in his 'Jesusing' makes the way and leaves the room for any and all to come near, to believe and to stay near the one who has authority in all realms at all times. Repent (change and open up your mind) for the Kingdom of God is near!

A - Jesus exceeded the request and met the greatest needs of all, not just the needs of the man on the mat.  In my little world, I often and quite naturally fall into a one or the other mentality.  Sin or physical healing.  Talk for believers or talk for unbelievers.  The immediate and temporal or the spiritual and eternal. Jesus has no trouble, strain or lack in dealing with it all at the same time.  He wants me to know and have proof (eijvdw - have your eyes wide open and fully understand) that he is the authority and has authority (ejxousiva - jurisdiction, right, power, liberty, ability )… that I will live out loud in the confident, generous and limitless provision of heaven.  I need to open up and change my mind … the Kingdom of God and the Great King are at hand.

P - Lord of All and Lord of me,

I admit that I know more than I live out loud … that I falter in living the beauty and truth you have given to me in yourself, your word, your spirit and even in this fallen world.  Today, Lord, I woke up once again seeing people walking like trees and I am relying on you to touch my eyes so I may see clearly, wide open and with clarity.  In the face of that which seems futile or impossible or devastating you say don't be afraid, merely believe.  Lord I believe, help my unbelief.  Thank you for this day in which I get to live out the authority of your too wonderful for me person.  I really do love you back!
Steve