Saturday 20 October 2018

Psalm: Psalm 16

Background

The week began with the start of a journey that would lead from Jesus’ baptism by John and end three years later with death, resurrection and ascension. We end the week with Jesus returning to Capernaum and the news spreading that he had arrived back to the place where he had healed Simon and Andrew’s mother-in-law. The crowds appear as if by magic and the house where Jesus is becomes full. People are so keen to hear what Jesus has to say, and to have their problems solved by him, that four men end up taking their friend on to the roof, cutting a hole and lowering him to the feet of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus says to their friend, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

We read that some of the scribes present were clearly not happy with the words Jesus had used and they challenge him about his blasphemous ways. It was understood at that time that such illness came as a result of sinfulness in the present or a previous life, so Jesus actually forgiving the man's sins could well be seen as confirmation of that. Jesus responds in words to their challenge but, just to prove the efficacy of his healing, he tells the man to get up and go, which he does, causing amazement to all those who had gathered there and causing many in the crowd to glorify God as they understood God’s hand at play in the encounter.

To Ponder:

• What would be considered blasphemous in church today?
• Would you say that that this encounter was truly the beginning of Jesus’ journey to the cross? Why?
• Are there still people who consider misfortune or illness to be affected by a person’s ethics or lifestyle, or, in other words, their sinfulness? Why is this, do you think?