Mark 2:1-17 - Your Sins Are Forgiven; Rise; Live Life

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17 NIV)

We've all been there; feeling down, feeling sick, more like sin sick. The guilt that can come with knowing that you have sinned; knowing that you have damaged another human being can drag us down not just spiritually, but physically as well. When times like this present themselves; there is nothing more healing than hearing these words, "You are forgiven." Your sins are forgiven. The debt is erased. Pick yourself up and live life.

Jesus is criticized for healing the paralyzed man with these words: "Your sins are forgiven." "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Jesus is criticized, not for healing the man; but, for daring to declare that he has been forgiven.

Jesus' mission, here on earth, was to forgive us our sins, so that we might be made whole and reconciled to God our Father on earth and in heaven. We are forgiven so that we might live abundant life in the presence, in the kingdom, of God.

I'm thinking that there are not too many congregations in the world today who do not recognize that Jesus came to heal us sinners, not to patronize those who think and act as though they are without sin. But, then again, there may be a few congregations left who think in this manner and Jesus came to heal them as well. After all, thinking that we may be without sin and in need of forgiveness, is a form of sickness, in itself.

Such few words, but for the sin-sick soul they bring such relief; such healing; such wholeness. Your sins are forgiven you. Rise up and walk. Rise up and live the life that God has given you through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.

Pr. J

Isaiah 33 - No One Will Say I Am Ill

"No one living in Zion will say, “I am ill”;
and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven."  (Isaiah 33:24 NIV)

Will that not be a wonderful day! When no will say that I am ill.  I am having one of those days when it is hard to focus, again...  Since last week, when I did some hospital visits my thoughts keep turning to this prayer: "Heal them, LORD, please!" One of our Sunday School teachers had a stroke a couple of weeks before Sunday School ended. It was quite severe. He has become bed-ridden. He is a wonderful man - a great teacher! He is constantly in my prayers and I often wonder why God won't heal him. I visited a few others in the hospital this past week, as well.

What is causing my real lack of focus today, though, is a lack of sleep. I spent most of the night at the emergency room with my 14 year-old granddaughter. She had been screaming out in pain. Instead of coming home, we slept in an extra bed at our Adult Foster Care in town when we finally left the emergency room as that would give us at least an hour more sleep before we had to get up. The emergency room Dr. did not figure out what was wrong with her. She was sent home still in pain; although, it was dissipating and she was able to finally sleep. The orders were: no Tylenol as that would exasperate her already elevated liver enzymes and to follow-up with a Dr. of her choice. There's the kicker.... Dr. of her choice. She has been trying to find a female doctor that will see her for over a year. She is rather shy when it comes to things like that. Not much luck at BCMH - lots of administration to go through to see a Dr. if you're not already a patient. We tried last fall to set her up with one, but it got so complicated we finally gave up.  I am waiting on a call now. We shall see if we will be able to get her medical care at BCMH or if we're going to need to drive to Portage or Bell Memorial. BTW - she does have good insurance so that is not a factor.

So there's my focus today. I am waiting for the day when no one living will say, "I am ill." Then we won't need Dr's or nurses, or hospital administrators, or Obama Care...

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Later.... She now has a female Dr. at BCMH.