“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?  But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home” (Mark 2:9-11).

So that You may know, Jesus has done things the way He has done them.  Who can cause another to be made new?  Jesus didn’t just patch up people, He made them new.  Our sin has brought about many of these ills.  The rebellion of this age has brought about disease and infirmity.  Jesus has come so that we may have new life which springs to eternal life.  He tells us to get up and go, so that on the journey we may learn what it means to follow Him.

Lord God, You have taught us that it is in the doing that we learn and grow.  We live in an age where we want things delivered to us.  We behave like consumers.  This world is being consumed.  You have come so that we may live and share what You give.  Help us to learn from You so that we may live life on Your terms and not on our own terms.  Guide us ever deeper into the mystery of the faith, growing as You will grow us, and learning how to be obedient to You in and through all things.

Lord Jesus, I need Your healing.  Sometimes I am paralyzed.  Sometimes I am the scribe.  Sometimes I am a Pharisee.  Help me to be what You will make of me.  Guide me so that I follow, walking each step of the way as You direct.  Help me to understand that I must be active in this life of faith which You have given me.  Guide me now and always to do our Father’s will.  Amen.

“Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?” (Mark 2:8)

God knows.  He knows when we are heading down the path of rebellion.  We think we know, but we do not.  How many times do we say to one another, “I know this.”  Often, the truth is that we only think we know.  The Lord alone knows all things.  Learn from Him.  Come, reason with the Lord and have Him open your mind to the truth of all that He will show You.  In Him is life and truth.

Lord, I get wrapped up in my own way of thinking and doing, and act as if there is nothing more to learn.  I am a disciple, which means “one who learns.”  I should never stop learning and growing.  Guide all who seek You in the way of living that looks unto You in and for all things.  Help me to see that only in You is there hope and a future, for You alone give me the words of everlasting life.

Lord Jesus, thank You for forgiving my sin and healing me of the eternal damnation I deserve.  By Your grace, lead me today to look to You, the One who truly knows, so that I may live in truth.  Train me in the way You would have me go and then send me out so that I may fulfill the will of the Father.  Through all things, help me to reason by the power of Your holy Spirit.  Amen.

“And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:5-7)

If Jesus is not who He says He is, then the scribes are right, for who can forgive my sin against you unless it be God?  Jesus acts as if He is the One chiefly offended by sin.  This too tells us who Jesus is.  It is sin in the world which has caused all calamity and Jesus has come to take away our sin.  Therefore, when He says, “Your sins are forgiven,” He speaks the truth of the salvation He brings.

Lord, there are so many things in scripture that pass by me.  I see that time and again I have been told who You are, but have I noticed and understood?  Help me to understand all the things You would have me understand so that I respond with my heart, soul, body, mind, and strength to all that You have offered.  Guide all the faithful ever deeper in faith, understanding that You do forgive sins and that it is humanity who are the ones who blaspheme.

Lord Jesus, You have been patient amidst all the foolish doubts of every generation.  You are the truth who has come so that we who live in untruth may be guided into a life which is forever.  You speak words of truth, and You have offered to set me free.  Guide me into the way of life that brings peace and the forgiveness of sin.  Help me to live this life today and every day.  Amen.

“And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men.  Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying” (Mark 2:3-4).

See the love the men carrying the paralytic had for him.  See the willingness to go the extra distance to have an opportunity to bring about healing.  This is faith in action.  Too often, many sit back and want it to come to us.  These men moved forward to meet the Lord.  The Lord is always encouraging us to live by faith, trusting that He is more than able to do all that He has promised.

Lord, who can heal all infirmities, You know I live in an age of being served.  It is filled with instant gratification.  I do not always look forward, seeking what is right, but sit in comfort expecting what I want to come to me.  Lead me out of my faithlessness and into a faith that goes as far as I am able on my own, knowing that only You can carry me the right distance.  Move me beyond the complacence of this age to do the good works for the age to come.

Lord Jesus, You know anguish and pain more fully than I ever will.  You also have given me the gift of fortitude to push me forward through the hopelessness I encounter.  Lead me to walk the distance, no matter what, so that I may truly be one who follows You in and through all things.  Teach me how to live and grant me the gifts I need to walk this life of faith which You have given me by Your grace.  Amen.  

“When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home.  And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them” (Mark 2:1-2).

The crowds gathered.  We love to see things that are different.  People gather around what interests them whether they agree with what they encounter.  The Lord has come and there are many who still gather around, but that does not mean that they are there because they believe.  For all who gather, the bottom line is met when we find out for ourselves who Jesus is and whether we will follow Him.

Almighty God of all mystery, I am curious, and I want to know things before I commit to them.  Help me to live not for myself, but in the truth, knowing that You are the One who made me.  Guide me into the mystery of faith and lead me to humbly walk according to Your goodness and mercy.  I do not know how to do this, but You lead the way and You alone make it possible to complete the journey.

Lead me, Lord Jesus, this day.  Let me not be just one of the crowd who watches and waits for the next great thing to see, but live in the midst of what You are doing.  Help me to not worry about times and events but live out the faith You have given me.  Help me seek and learn  obedience through all that I do.  Guide me now and always, Lord Jesus, so that I may humbly walk the path You have set before me.  Amen.

“But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere” (Mark 1:45).

Although cleansed and freed from infirmities, Jesus has a reason for saying what He says.  If He tells us to be quiet, we should be quiet, but we act as though we know better.  Yes, the Lord knew this would happen, but the greater lesson for us is to learn to be obedient to the Lord in all things.  Sometimes our exuberance causes more harm than the good we think we are doing.  Learn to listen to the Lord.

Lord, I want to do good, but sometimes in the desire for it I create more of a mess.  Help me to heed Your call and follow You through all things doing what You ask me to do.  Guide me, Lord, so that I humbly walk in Your ways and live according to the goodness and mercy which You give me.  When I am tempted to disobey, even for what I consider good reason, help me to realize that You are the Lord.

Lord Jesus, despite the good intentions of people who disobeyed, You continued to the cross for us all.  I too have gone astray with good motives.  Help me to learn repentance and walk in the way You have established.  Guide me up and out of this world’s thinking to live according to Your word alone, for You are the One who must save me.  Be the author of my faith today and teach me faithfulness.  Amen.

“Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.  And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them” (Mark 1:42-44).

Our Lord did not come to do away with the law, for the law points to Him and reflects His love.  He has come to remove the obstacles that get in the way of our becoming what we were made to be.  No disease or infirmity can get in the way of what the Lord can do.  He created all things, and what has been perverted by sin, He makes clean by His grace.  Is that not what He did with the bacterial infection we call leprosy?  Is that not what He has done with your sin?

Lord, You are the Creator of all things, but things have gone awry.  You have come to set what has gone wrong, right.  You have come to call those who would enter onto the journey of salvation You give to become what You know we can and should be.  When You tell me to do something, help me to do it.  I have many questions, but they are answered along the way, not by confronting You beforehand.

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and Savior.  I need You to lead me.  Deep is the infection of sin in me.  In the depths of the sin which You have come to heal, cleanse me so that I may become like You.  Heal me so that I may walk in faith as You intend.  Plant me back into the society in which You have placed me.  Through all things, help me to live the life You have given me with thanksgiving.  Amen.

“And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed” (Mark 1:40-41).

Look carefully at how this works.  Does your faith tell you that our Lord is able to do what you are asking Him to do?  But then, the truth comes in realizing that although Jesus can heal, the Father’s will may not be for healing.  “Are You willing?”  So many are conditional, thinking that if the Lord does not heal, then thinking that He is not able.  It is better to understand that the Father’s will shall be done in and through all that happens.

Lord, there are times when I do not understand why You do not heal.  Wickedness causes me to be disappointed and think that You are not able or do not care.  Teach me to be humble and submit to the truth that You alone work all things together for good.  Guide me ever deeper into Your goodness so that the conditionality of my heart goes away.  Lead me forward, trusting You above all things.

Lord Jesus, You are able to do all that I ask.  I do not receive because I ask with wrong motive.  Teach me to have the right motive and to trust every answer to my prayers which You give.  You know all that needs to happen, so keep me in the Father’s will, trusting that You will bring all things together for good.  Help me to be a part of living in the Father’s will and trusting that You have all things in Your hands.  Amen.

“He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”  And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons” (Mark 1:38-39).

It is as if Jesus is saying to those who would try to hold on to Him, “I am not yours alone, but I came for all.”  How many times have local fellowships acted as if they had a corner on the truth?  “We are the ones who have the truth and You do not,” seems often to be an attitude that is projected.  Jesus has come for the world so that as many as believe would receive His salvation and live in the communion of love which comes from our Lord and God.

Lord, I find the place in which I am comfortable and think I have all that is needed.  You have placed a longing in every human heart which reaches beyond ourselves and out to You.  You are the only One who fills that longing.  Guide me, Lord, so that I live into the life You are offering me.  Teach me all that this means, and set my feet upon the course of the life of salvation which prepares me for an eternal life of communion with You.

Lord, You call us to be leaders and in leadership there is a temptation to think all that needs to be known is already known.  To lead is first to be behind You, for only You know where we need to go.  Help me to take those steps so that I follow You and then help me so that nothing gets in the way of my following You.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way of right living, seeking Your righteousness and looking to You as the Author of my faith.  Amen.

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.  Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You” (Mark 1:35-37).

Is everyone looking for Jesus, or just wanting Him to be where they expect Him to be?  We have our own ideas of who Jesus is and do not see Him as He is.  He is in communion with the Father.  He invites us into that communion.  Many would rather take Jesus out of that communion and have Him join with them.  He came to save us; we did not come to invite Him to where we are.

Lord, You have called me to You.  I did not discover You and invite You to me.  You are the One who must be in control, for I will make a mess of things if I pretend that I am in control.  You are in a relationship of Trinity, bring me to You and help me to not expect You to come to me and compromise the eternal relationship — not that You would, but my sinful expectations get in the way.

Lord Jesus, teach me to pray and commune as You communed.  Lead me to be always mindful of where my heart is and curb my expectations.  Be the One who is leading and take from me those desires which would even slightly take the lead.  You are the One who must save me, so save me as You know I need saving.  Help me to keep my eyes always upon You.  Amen.