Many know him as the father of modern fantasy writing. He inspired great authors like J. R. R. Tolkien, Lewis Carroll and C. S. Lewis. Yet Scottish author and poet George MacDonald’s most powerful words may well have been those concerning his Saviour’s forgiving heart. Reflecting on Jesus’ healing of a paralysed man, MacDonald wrote, “To save a man from his sins, is to say to him, in a sense perfect and eternal, ‘Rise up and walk. Be at liberty in thy essential being. Be free as the Son of God is free.’ ”
In the story, the paralysed man is dramatically laid before Jesus by his friends (Mark 2:4). To onlookers, this man obviously needs freedom from his trapped body. But for Jesus, the real problem lies far deeper within. “He said to the paralysed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’ ” (v. 5).
When the teachers of the law took offence (v. 6-7), Jesus made His intentions clear: “ ‘I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ So he said to the man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home’ ” (vv. 10-11).
Jesus brought freedom to the man’s body to prove His authority to bring eternal freedom to the man’s soul. It is a freedom that He still offers today; He has authority on earth to forgive so that we may “get up” from our prisons of sin and follow Him into liberty.
By Chris Wale
REFLECT & PRAY
What sin is weighing you down and trapping you? What might it look like to take hold of Jesus’ forgiveness and “get up” and walk with Him in your soul?
Dear Jesus, thank You that You have all authority to forgive sin. Gratefully and joyfully, I receive the freedom of Your forgiveness today.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Capernaum was a fishing community on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee which essentially became the headquarters of Jesus’ northern ministry (Matthew 4:13). Home to Peter, James, John, and Andrew, first century Capernaum was an important area on a major trade route. The name Capernaum actually means “the village of Nahum,” one of the Old Testament minor prophets. This fact seems to have been conveniently ignored by the religious leaders of Jesus’ day who, when debating Jesus’ legitimacy as a prophet, said, “They answered him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” (John 7:52).
Bill Crowder
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