Easy or Hard? (blog)

"So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them." (Mark 2:2)

Four men bypassed the crowd at the house in Capernaum where Jesus was teaching, by digging through the roof and lowering their paralyzed friend down, on a mat, before him."When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'" (Mark 2:5)Knowing that only God can forgive sins, some teachers of the law rejected Jesus as a blasphemer in their hearts.  In response, Jesus asked them 'which is easier, to forgive sins or to heal?'  Then, so that the crowd gathered might believe in his Kingdom authority, Jesus healed the paralyzed man and sent him home walking with mat in hand.Jesus sometimes commanded people not to tell anyone about his miraculous power to heal, but "the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it." (Mark 7:36).  They couldn't help themselves, couldn't help but tell of their experiences with Jesus.For many, these experiences would be life-changing.  But first their belief in Jesus would be tested when they witnessed his suffering and death on the Cross.  Jesus died for their sins (and ours).  His authority comes from God, who sent him to do the hardest thing that anyone has ever had to do - that only he could do.Prayer:  Jesus, help us again today to trust in your authority over all things, even with all that is going on around us.  We had heard of pandemics in other times and places, but now we are really experiencing one.  Help us to remember what you have done for us, and to trust that you are with us.  Help us to tell others about you in this time of worldwide suffering.  Now is the time to spread the news, to tell others about how we have experienced your saving grace!