Jesus Forgives Sins

18Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. 21“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.” (Mark 2:18-22, NRSV)

There is a time and place for everything. Do not hold others as wrong when they do things differently than you.

We use old wine skins for old wine and put new wine in new wine skins so that things will not cause issues. Because things have an order and way and that can be different for others.

Love God as God loves you and share that love with the world.

Tax Collectors and Sinners

13Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. 14As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 15And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. 16When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” (Mark 2:13-17, NRSV)

Jesus calls all of us to follow as He called the first disciples. And He doesn’t need for us to have our lives perfect in the eyes of the world before we come.

Jesus ate and hung out with the people the world said were not a part of the community, the outcasts and sinners.

But Jesus knows we were all created by God perfect just the way we are. So follow Jesus and know you are loved as you are.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. 3Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7“Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? 10But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” —he said to the paralytic— 11“I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” 12And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:1-12, NRSV)

These 4 friends had to get their friend into see Jesus and the house was full and the door was blocked so they carried him to the roof on his mat and dug a hole in the roof and lowered him down to Jesus. Now the man didn’t ask for this as far as we know. His friends just took him and when Jesus saw all his friends went through he forgave the man. And when the legalalistic people saw it they grumbled and questioned it. So Jesus told him to get up and walk.

Jesus forgave him and healed him and restored him, because of the faith of his friends.

What has Jesus done for your friends because of your faith?

Dinner at Simon’s House

36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” 40Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “Speak.” 41“A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” 43Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” 48Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50, NRSV)

I have a picture of this verse. It was hanging on the wall in my office but now is in a box as I await a new call and a new place for it to hang. It was painted by a dear friend. It shows the devotion this woman had for Jesus.

But why is she crying over Jesus’ feet? All we know is she is a sinner and she knows Jesus is at the house. She came uninvited to this home where she wasn’t welcomed and cried over Jesus’ feet. She had an emotional connection to Jesus. Maybe she met Jesus earlier and He treated her as a human with worth rather than how she is normally treated. She knew He would forgive her. That is the love that Jesus has for all of us. He doesn’t love us if we follow the rules. He loves us because God made us.

Love deeply and share that love with the world.

Signs of the Kingdom

18The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples 19and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 20When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” 21Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. 22And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. 23And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” (Luke 7:18-23, NRSV)

What do we expect from Jesus? John had seen and heard all of the things that Jesus did and still questioned if Jesus was the one coming or if there was another.

So what do we expect from Jesus?

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

11Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” 15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” 17This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. (Luke 7:11-17, NRSV)

Why did Jesus heal this man? He was the only son of a widow. He was the only way the widow would be taken care of.

Jesus knows the needs of those around Him and does what He can to take care of those needs. Be that by Himself or through others.

Allow Jesus to use you to care for others.

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” 6And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” 9When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. (Luke 7:1-10, NRSV)

Faith is knowing it will happen because we have been told it will happen. Jesus has promised us life abundantly. Do you believe that promise?

How do we live out our faith everyday?

3 men from the east followed stars to arrive this day at the home of Mary and Joseph to see Jesus. They had faith in what they had read and seen to find the king.

How do you show your faith to the world?

Jesus Heals a Leper

40A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” 41Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” 42Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. (Mark 1:40-45, NRSV)

Jesus healed the leper and told him to go and show himself to the priest. This was so he could be restored to the community. His disease took him out of the community. Being healed could restore him as long as the priest said he was clean.

Jesus followed the law that was for the good of community.

What do we do for the good of the community?

Simon’s Mother-in-Law

29As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1:29-39, NRSV)

Today we read the beginning of this passage and wonder why Simon’s mother-in-law had to serve them after Jesus healed her. She didn’t have to. Maybe she wanted to. Remember that was society norms for that time.

They wouldn’t focus on that but it’s funny that everytime I read this passage that is what I wonder. Not about all the others who heard about the healing come to be healed or that Jesus leaves to go to other villages.

Let’s focus on the miracles. When you focus on the miracles you will see more around you.

As One With Authority

21They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. (Mark 1:21-28, NRSV)

Jesus was there at the beginning with the Father and the Spirit and everything that was made was made through Him.

Jesus has control over all of creation. But the question today is, does Jesus really have control of you?

Can Jesus command you?