Is He Here?

Mark 2:5-8 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?”
 
IN Luke, we read Jesus announced his ministry to say he had come to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind. (Luke 4:18c) Jesus did heal the blind. But the reference is to  spiritually blind people. One sad truth throughout Scripture is the many occasions when God’s chosen people chose to be blind to the LORD God’s loving care for them. This moment in Peter’s and Andrew’s house is one of those occasions. Great suspicion and animosity toward God’s Son among a few clouded the crowd’s view of Jesus.
   For centuries the Jews had looked for the prophesied Christ to fulfill such promises as in Isaiah 61:7 Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
   Now the Redeemer had walked into the house with his double portion in hand. His first portion of grace was to forgive the man’s sins. The crippled man had not even asked for this! How glorious is this freedom proclamation. Be free! By grace you have been forgiven. You, sir, are a new man. Hallelujah!
   But the teachers of the law were could not see God’s love come into their livers. They looked critically on Jesus and asked, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” In one sense, it is good the teachers of the law asked the question. We must know if we’re hearing from God or from someone who is pretending to speak God’s’ Word. Is the Teacher teaching the truth? Yes, they asked a good question. Are they ready for a good answer?
   Jesus’ answer begins with his own question, “Why are you thinking these things?” What is the reason they asked? Was it to accuse Jesus or to exclaim, “The Son of God is among us!” How would they respond to the evidence Jesus will give them?
   What questions do you have for Jesus? Do you ask, so you can consider ways to defend yourself against his truth? Or do you ask to know more truly the Son of Man has come to you?