SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW...

SCRIPTURE

Luke 5:17-26 (NRSV)

Jesus forgives sins and heals

One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, "Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he said to the one who was paralyzed - "I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home." Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."


DEVOTION--Today is Saturday Psalmody; the mediation is offered as a psalm from my heart! If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)


SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW


You're hanging around
drawn by a Power
You do not understand
But feel compelled to witness
nonetheless.

You sit
talking behind your hands
disparaging me
snickering
doubting
hoping secretly...
that Messiah has come

You won't ask your questions
forthrightly
instead you ask each other
who am I?
who am I to heal?
who am I to forgive sin?
who am I to send them home?
healthy and whole...

Who am I?

Indeed...

But so that you may know
I heal
And so that you may know
I forgive
And so that you may know
I allow you to sit anonymous in the crowd
Perhaps
one day
you will know that
I am
that I am
and will ever be

Amazing?
Strange?

OH YES, I AM HE...

INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta