Day 92 — Guess Who Just Dropped In
Our devotionals are a little different this week, written from the perspective of the character in the Bible passage. This practice of ‘Adoration’ helps us to ‘sit’ in the Scripture and use our imagination to take us into the story in a new way – towards a place of adoration of Jesus. You can read the passages in your Bible first to find the original context and trust that the Spirit is with you as you read and reflect today.
Mark 2: 1–12.
“The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
The house was fairly new and the Master had only moved to town a few months ago. The room was pretty big but it was totally rammed today, crowds outside pressing at the door, not wanting to miss anything. Absolutely stifling. Lots of his other followers, some from further afield, keen to know what was going on with him. And, of course, the usual ‘regulatory authorities’, demanding a good spot so as to check him out for religious orthodoxy and, presumably, report back.
What happened was actually hilarious. All I knew was some shouting, banging and scraping noises, it stopped - more shouting, it started again, more vigorous. Jesus had paused mid-story but one of his team had wriggled through, whispered in his ear and he obviously could see the humour so wasn’t too bothered.
Everybody was staring at the roof because of the noise. Suddenly a pick spike punctured through, a lot of dust and debris started falling, tutting and complaining below, trying to get out of the way, the law experts brushing it off their turbans and prayer shawls. You had to laugh! A few moments more, the gap was much bigger, four faces appeared in the hole silhouetted against the dazzling sky.
And, with a lot more shouting, grunting, pushing and shoving out of the way below, a gurney jerkily descended on ropes to the ground right in front of the Master. On it was old Mannie – everyone loved Mannie, a paraplegic – perched on his elbows, blinking through the dust, looking quite embarrassed.
Everyone was silent, all eyes on Jesus; this was not normal. Standing now, he looked up at the massive hole in his house’s roof, four grinning faces peering through, down at Mannie, “Son, I forgive you!”
How bizarre that it was this that prodded the experts to protest! This comment was, of course, charged with religious baggage. “How dare you?” they squealed.
“Okay, which is more of a challenge, forgiveness or healing?”
“Forgiveness” shouted a couple, “Healing” from others. Then they looked at each other, cross, confused, exposed.
“Well, so you know what power I have…” And, directly to Mannie, “Up you get, son, go back home now and take this with you.” And that was it. Exactly what Mannie did.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I adore you, love you with everything I am. You didn’t turn me away, were never too busy, vexed at my neediness, or inappropriateness. I revel in the wholesome forgiveness you bestowed on me and the healing of, oh so many imperfections and sins that once defined me.
Above all, I worship you for carrying all that hatred, judgment and curse, all the way to a vengeful cross, victorious to the last. Amen
Brian Eccleshall