Remembering God’s Passion
Week Starting Sunday, March 6, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Mark 2:1-12; Ephesians 1:6-8; Matthew 26:26-28
1Several days later Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the news of his arrival spread quickly through the town. 2Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there wasn’t room for one more person, not even outside the door. And he preached the word to them. 3Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4They couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
6But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there said to themselves, 7“What? This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins!”
8Jesus knew what they were discussing among themselves, so he said to them, “Why do you think this is blasphemy? 9Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11“Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!”
12The man jumped up, took the mat, and pushed his way through the stunned onlookers. Then they all praised God. “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” they exclaimed. (Mark 2:1-12)
6So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. 7He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. 8He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:6-8)
26As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God’s blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it and eat it, for this is my body.” 27And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many. (Matthew 26:26-28)
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for being a God of forgiveness! I praise You for sending Jesus to bring us back into relationship with You, when we chose to go our own way. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, as You have forgiven me, fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may forgive others. Use me as an agent of forgiveness this week! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. |
Tuesday |
Heavenly Father, As Jesus worked the miracle of forgiveness and healing in the paralytic’s life, work Your miracle of forgiveness and healing in me today and always! Amen. |
Wednesday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your presence in my life! Fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that all that I am and all I do may bring You glory and honor. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, Bless all who seek to share the Good News of Your grace and forgiveness in our world. I pray especially for pastors and missionaries that they may be faithful to their calling. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Friday |
Heavenly Father, fill me right now with Your Holy Spirit that I may not only read, but also understand and apply Your word in my life. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Saturday |
Heavenly Father, glorify Yourself in my life today. Use me in whatever way You see fit to advance the cause of Jesus and His coming Kingdom. This I pray in His name. Amen. |
Background on the Text
Once again this week we have three readings, each focusing on God’s great forgiveness, which allows us to move from lives of sin, death and separation, to NEW lives filled with the promise of eternal life here and now, and in heaven! In our first reading, Jesus performs a great miracle—He heals a paralyzed man, but before healing the man, Jesus FORGIVES the man’s sins. Which is more important to walk or to be forgiven? Jesus points out to the crowd that the one who has the authority to forgive sins also has the power to heal. Thank God for sending Jesus to show us just how serious He is about bring forgiveness and wholeness to our lives. The second reading emphasizes that it is through the shed blood of Jesus alone that our sins are forgiven. So many people in our day, desire to live “good lives,” through their own efforts. The reality is that no one has ever lived a life that is good enough. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. That’s why Jesus had to come and die in our place, so the “slate” of our lives could be “wiped clean,” and we could be restored to relationship with God through Jesus sacrifice. In our final reading Jesus reminds His followers again that His blood is shed for the forgiveness of the sins of many. The reminder comes as Jesus establishes the Lord’s Supper. In it we’re reminded again of Jesus’ infinite love for us, and of his great salvation!
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts