DAILY READING
REFLECTION
The sick and the sinners - that's us
by Elaine Pierce
There is a lot going on in these 22 verses! Jesus heals a paralytic, he calls Levi, a hated tax collector, to join his band of disciples, and he is called out for not fasting like John's disciples and the pious Pharisees. What do we make of all of this activity? Jesus meets people where they are, and he is not afraid of controversy. And he knows our hearts. These five words in verse
5 can be an encouragement and a challenge to all of us: When Jesus saw their faith.
The paralytic's friends were resourceful, and they believed that Jesus could heal him. Jesus saw their faith, and his response was both to heal physically and spiritually, which sent the Pharisees into a tailspin. Yes, Jesus also saw their hearts (see v. 8). We can cloak our self interest in religious language, but the Lord knows when we are sinning and when we are looking to him for guidance and wisdom.
Perhaps the verse to focus on today is 17: "it is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners."
I don't know about you, but my sinful nature wants to say, who me - I'm not sick! A sinner? Not me - look at all those other people doing those awful things. I'm righteous. I go to church every Sunday, and I read my Bible every day. And on and on. But Jesus knows my heart. He knows your heat. And he came for us, to free us from our sin and to give us eternal life. What a gift! A gift only available if we kneel at his feet and follow him.
PRAYER
Lord, I read the book of Mark and I am struck by your care, your compassion, and your love for the sick and the sinner - yes, that's me. I come to you with nothing to offer, and yet you welcome me with open arms, and you bid me to follow you. Thank you for your mercy, and help me today to be your disciple. Amen.
