Irresistible Invitation by Maxie Dunham - Day 19

Irresistible Invitation

Day 19: The Shaping Power of The Indwelling Christ

 

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)

 

Today we examine the Christ’s indwelling presence as a forgiving and healing one.  There is no doubt that the relationship between the forgiving and healing ministries of Christ is a close one.  Mark 2:1-12 tells us the story of the healing of the paralytic man.  You recall the story, in the beginning we are introduced to a man who we are told is immobilized on a mat, being carried around by his friends.  His friends are so desperate to have there friend healed that they bring him to Jesus, so convinced that Christ can help them they break through the ceiling to get their friend into the hands of this healer.  

 

You may also recall that what happens next is rather astounding, rather than proclaim health to the young man Jesus, upon seeing the faith of the paralytic and his friends gives them absolution, proclaiming “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  (Mark 2:5)  The crowd, just like you and I must have wondered what was going on, they did not bring this paralytic there to be absolved of sin they brought him to be healed of his inability to walk.  The truth is no one doubted what was going on, they questioned instead the one who was doing it.  Mark records for us Jesus’ reason for the healing; “He said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things?  Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say,  ‘Get up, take your mat and walk?’  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralytic, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”  (vv 8-11)  We are told that the fellow sprang to his feet and walked away, leaving no doubt about the power of Jesus to both forgive and to heal. 

 

We can have no doubt as well that our response to God’s love is always a forgiving and healing experience; this is what grace is all about.

 

 

The Heart of The Matter:

 

Has Jesus been an affirming presence in your life?  Has he been a healing one?  Describe your experience of the indwelling Christ?

 

Think of a time in your life when you pursued something with all your energy, like the friends of the paralytic sought Christ for their comrade’s healing.  What motivated your search?  How might your energies be focused more on seeking Jesus?

 

Why do you think Jesus so clearly connected physical healing and forgiveness?