Taking Notice
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:11,12 ESV
You can count on it, wherever and whenever Jesus shows up people take notice. The verses above comes from the passage about the healing of the paralytic carried to Jesus by his four friends.
The crowd in the house where Jesus was, was so crowded his determined and creative friends lowered the man by ropes on his couch into the room. That in itself is an important observation. The importance of doing what it takes to get someone in need, in contact with Jesus. Protocol was out the window, patience was not displayed, there was a sense of urgency and display of commitment.
Jesus shocks everyone by looking at the paralyzed man and the first thing He says is, “Your sins are forgiven.” The response of the religious leaders is not spoken out loud, but is an inward criticism, “scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:11,12 ESV)
Jesus responds outwardly to this inward criticism, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? (Mark 2:8,9 ESV)
That in itself should have been an attention getter. Jesus is forgiving sins, revealing the unspoken words in hearts and then demonstrates that nothing is outside of His power by commanding the man to “stand up and walk.” Whether it is forgiving sins, or healing the sick, both are within the scope of Jesus power and authority. The scribes recognized Jesus operating in the authority of God, but were not able to recognize Him for who He was.
The scribes responded inwardly, but the crowds responded outwardly saying, “we have never seen anything like this before.” But that is what happens when “Jesus is in the house.” You hear what you never have heard, you see what you never have seen. Such was the impact of His life that turned the world upside down in three short years.
Prayer for today… Lord thank You that when people encounter You they are changed. New life is given, spiritually and physically as You are allowed to work. Grant us the faith to believe and trust You and to be open to “taking notice” when You “show up.”