GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 9:1-81 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise and walk'? 6 But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he then said to the paralytic -- "Rise, take up your bed and go home." 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
Meditation: What cripples the mind and heart and stifles
the healing power of love? Sin and unforgiveness for certain! Sin
cripples us more than any physical ailment can. Sin is the work of
the kingdom of darkness and it holds us in eternal bondage. There
is only one solution and that is the healing, cleansing power of
Jesus' forgiveness.
Power of forgiveness
Jesus' treatment of sinners upset the religious teachers of the
day. When a cripple was brought to Jesus because of the faith of
his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first forgave the man
his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they
understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and to
unbind a man or woman from their burden of guilt. Jesus claimed an
authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only
proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power
of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his
physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically,
but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt
and restored his body as well.
Healing body, mind, and soul
The Lord Jesus is ever ready to bring us healing of mind, body,
and soul. His grace brings us freedom from the power of sin and
from bondage to harmful desires and addictions. Do you allow
anything to keep you from Jesus' healing power?
Lord Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and restoration to body, mind, and soul. May your healing power and love touch every area of my life - my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and memories. Pardon my offences and transform me in the power of your Holy Spirit that I may walk confidently in your truth and goodness.
Psalm 19:7-10
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Healing of soul and body, by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)
"Now in the narrative of the paralytic a number of people are
brought forward for healing. Jesus' words of healing are worthy of
reflection. The paralytic is not told, 'Be healed.' He is not
told, 'Rise and walk.' But he is told, 'Take heart, my son; your
sins are forgiven you.' The paralytic is a descendant of the
original man, Adam. In one person, Christ, all the sins of Adam
are forgiven. In this case the person to be healed is brought
forward by ministering angels. In this case, too, he is called a
son, because he is God's first work. The sins of his soul are
forgiven him, and pardon of the first transgression is granted. We
do not believe the paralytic committed any sin [that resulted in
his illness], especially since the Lord said elsewhere that
blindness from birth had not been contracted from someone's sin or
that of his parents" [John 9:1-3]. (excerpt from
commentary ON MATTHEW 8.5)
