Carried to Freedom from Paralysis

December 13, 2021

Scripture

Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark2:2-5NLT)

Carried to Freedom from Paralysis

Over the years I have learned that a sure sign of my being in a dark space is the paralysis I experience in decision making and engaging outwardly. I’ve had times where the smallest decision seemed impossible and the easy phone call or email to a friend proved too much.

I was thinking about how I have been carried by loved ones and friends through those times and then found freedom to function again. Most of my friends aren’t as crazy as the guys who dropped a paralyzed friend through the roof into Jesus’ lap while he was teaching – but like them they had faith when I didn’t.

Jesus looks at the faces peering through the hole in the roof and sees faith in action and tells their friend, “Have courage son, your sins are forgiven”. There were a lot of angry critics when Jesus said this, but I’ve been wondering what he meant. A lot goes into creating paralysis of body, mind, spirit, religion or politics.

The “sin” that makes us only care for ourselves twists all of life and maybe that’s what we need forgiveness from – the accumulation of sins and influences perpetrated on us and by us. God entered time in Jesus not just to free us from sins of commission but to reconcile us to God - to be freed to love, be merciful and do justice.

(Our Advent 2021 card can be found here)

A Prayer from the Advent Card

The Star

All peoples, all nations shall honour Him. His love is so great it aches to receive the homage of every heart.
A star led the travellers to Jesus.They were seeking for the one life that could make a difference in their own lives –
That kind of journey always changes you for ever.
Jesus, now that I’ve found You, let me be like that bright star, showing the way to others
who wonder where You are.   

(Celtic Daily Readings, from the Northumbria Community)