Read: Mark 2:1-12

There are multiple accounts of healing throughout Jesus’ ministry, but one of my favorites is this passage (found also in Matthew 9:1-8 and Luke 5:17-26).

I try to picture myself there. Squeezed shoulder to shoulder in a house full of people, listening to Jesus.

All of a sudden the sound of footsteps on the roof. Voices, something scraping at the clay. Then a ray of light as an opening appears. The silhouettes of four men. Gently they lower a pallet into the house, right in front of Jesus. Upon it a paralyzed man.

Jesus speaks, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

What would it be like to witness that? To hear Jesus’ words. To see the interaction unfold as Jesus then addresses the scribes for the thoughts they didn’t even speak aloud. And then, at the end of it all, to watch the man stand on his own two feet, pick up his mat, and walk away healed.

That is awesome in every sense of the word!

Even though healing was a common theme in Jesus’ ministry, I have to imagine the disciples never tired of experiencing His work. I wonder what they thought when He spoke of forgiveness of sins. I have to think they were amazed by His power and authority.

Reflect: Are we amazed by His power and authority?

We weren’t there to watch a once paralyzed man stand and walk, but we have this account (and many others) that speak over and over again of who He was and what He did. Even more so, we know of His work on the cross, offering ultimate forgiveness.

May we never tire of experiencing His work. May we be forever amazed at His power and authority.