Be Careful.

September 13, 2021

“Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

~Mark 2:7~

Oh how often the people of Jesus' time thought our Lord was just a blasphemous man. The words He spoke often challenged their "way of living." The religious ritualistic agenda out weighed their ability to sense God's true presence. Here was Jesus, Son of God and God Himself in flesh, being judged by His very own creation. Imagine living in those times. If we had been walking in the same presence of God in flesh, would we too perhaps judge the One who came to save? All too often we like to look back and condemn those who did when we are just as capable of such accusations.

"Let my accusers be clothed with shame, And let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle."

(Psalms 109:29)

How many times have we pointed our fingers at another and accused, judged or wronged them? I know the answer is definitely not "none." We stand with the same dangers of those past time Sadducees who claimed that Jesus Christ was blaspheming God. What makes us believe we would of reacted differently? "Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven."

(Matthew 16:1)

Do we not find ourselves seeking a sign from heaven? Do we not question the Lord? Our trust can be equally as shaky as theirs were.

The Lord tells us to focus on Him for a reason, so as to recognize His Presence before men. So as not to live in a holier then thou manner. So as to humbly open our hearts to His truth. We have the privilege to look back on this Scripture and see their reactions and assume we would know better. The thing is, my friends, we wouldn't. We are just as human as they were. Our hearts are just as capable of evil. These folks accusing Jesus Christ of blasphemy was exactly what He knew would happen. The questions that rose up towards the Truth caused a ripple effect throughout God's country. How can it be that this man in front of their eyes could be forgiving people of sin? This was a reasonable question for one to ask when caught off guard. Jesus responded humbly of course explaining His reasoning for what He has said; "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?" (Mark 2:9)

Jesus was instructing His way of not only physical healing but spiritual healing. By Jesus telling this man his sins are forgiven, this man's heart would be healed along with His body. This man would understand how free he truely was. This man would witness God in person and His mercy. How can this be blasphemy when it is in fact pure love at its finest. When we judge even those who accused Jesus in the bible, we fool even ourselves. Not to say it wasn't wrong what they truely did to our Lord, but it surely was aligning to God's word. He knew just how humans would respond to such a thing and He did not try to change that by force. He came to change it by love. When we pretend like we would know better then them, we put ourselves in danger of such pride; "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2)

Jesus did not even condemn these Sadducees, He was kind and answered them rightly. Neither shall we condemn them or any such as this.

"The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil."

(John 7:7)

We are all born of this world, therefore it cannot hate us. However, if we follow Jesus completely and abide in Him each moment of the day, the world will in fact grow to hate us. We must really be careful who we point fingers at, who we condemn or accuse. It is not our job to do anything of the sort for this does not align with our Father in heaven. The one who accuses is from the Pit and our job is to remain humble and far from that which is evil. So when we read up on those who rejected, scorned and hated our Lord; let us be very careful how we speak about them. For we could of been in their same shoes.

Prayer:

Gracious King, thank you for Your amazing humility and patience towards man. You knew how we would respond to Your wondrous works and You still came to do what You knew we needed. The incredible heart of God, I long for more of. I pray the fullness of You in me. I pray for patience in myself when I begin to scorn another. I ask for self control in remaining humble rather then rising up in pride. Lord search my heart and remove the ways that are so fleshly. I do not want to be judgemental, accusing or inconsiderate for I know these are not of God. I reject all demonic doctrine and place myself at the merciful hands of Christ. I praise the One who gave me so much and continues to lead me rightly. The One whose Name has all power and authority. My Lord, My Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.