Thursday, January 21, 2016
Luke 5:20; Psalm 103:1, 3 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." ... Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name ... who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
POWER TO CURE THE SOUL
When Jesus was teaching God's Word at Capernaum -- in a house jam-packed with eager listeners -- a paralyzed man lying a stretcher was lowered by friends down through the roof tiles right in front of Him. They wanted Jesus to lend His help to the poor man, as they had seen Him do for others on other occasions. Before healing the man of his medical ailment Jesus took care of his most critical need. He assured him that his sins were forgiven.
Jesus' enemies questioned His authority to do this and accused Him of blasphemy. It would have been blasphemy if Jesus were not the Son of God. He went on to show them that He is God's Son and has power to forgive sins by performing yet another miraculous sign: curing the man of his paralysis.
Jesus does the same for His trusting disciples today. He helps us with our health problems either by removing them from us or blessing us with strength to bear up under them. Most importantly, He provides us with refreshment for our souls in the assurance of His forgiving love. It's a blessing we enjoy even when we suffer from painful health issues. Thanks to Jesus, our heavenly Physician, we can look forward to that Day when we'll have perfectly healthy bodies too.
Manifest in making whole Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight, Quelling all the devil's might;
Manifest in gracious will, Ever bringing good from ill.
Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 134:3)
