Today's Passage - Luke 5:21-26

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Luke 5:21-26   "The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, 'Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?' Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, 'Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Get up and walk"? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . .' He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God."   Have you ever thought clearly about the questions raised by Jesus here? From His perspective, it is easy to say either "your sins are forgiven" or "get up and walk." Lord came to the world to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, and also to heal the sick. In Isaiah 53:5, we saw the work of redemption by Jesus included the grace for healing. Isaiah said "the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Salvation and healing can take place at the same time. Therefore, to the Lord both are equally easy.   To us, the difficulty of salvation and healing totally depend on our faith to God. To the Pharisees back then, healing wasn't a big issue, so when Jesus performed miracles they also praised God's work. When the Lord, however, said to the paralyzed man "your sins are forgiven," Pharisees could not accept it, because it contradicts with their theology. They believed that only God can save, so how could Jesus call Himself God? They didn't know that Jesus is the incarnated Word and the Savior! This is the opposite of us, as we have no doubt about the Lord's forgiveness, because "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." We, however, often have doubts about healing, thinking that it is a thing of the past, and we don't understand why one person would be healed but not the other. It's difficult for us to believe in healing. The truth is that the Lord is the Lord of forgiveness and also the Lord of healing. Whether you believe it or not, the Lord is willing to heal us, and He's the same yesterday, today and forever.   May the Lord help us to be freed from rational thinking, but enter the abundant grace of Jesus Christ. We might think that "nothing is impossible in God" is only true for others but not us. This is a major deception in our life from the enemy. Lord is willing to give you His healing grace. If you receive by faith, you will be healed today.     Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I pray for every brother and sister in physical illness. I ask that you remove any disbelief from them; release them from sin and disease, and let your grace be filled in them. May your healing come upon them, because nothing is impossible in you. I ask that you would reveal your salvation and authority in them. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!