March 22, 2024
“But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:15-16 ESV). The more that crowds gathered around Jesus, the more often He would “withdraw” to pray. Jesus modeled an important
March 22, 2022
HE TOUCHED ME A man with leprosy fell on his face before Jesus saying, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” And the Lord, who could’ve healed him from a distance, came near and touched the leper and said, “I am willing; be healed.” Jesus was not only willing to heal the
March 21, 2022
GOING DEEPER WITH JESUS After Peter had fished all night, catching nothing, Jesus came to him, asking to use his boat. He needed it as a speaking platform to teach the crowds gathered there to hear Him. When He finished speaking, He told Peter to put the boat out into deep water and let down
March 22, 2021
HE TOUCHED ME A man with leprosy fell on his face before Jesus saying, “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.” And the Lord, who could’ve healed him from afar, came near and touched the leper and said, “I am willing; be made clean.” Jesus was not only willing to heal the
March 21, 2021
GO DEEP WITH JESUS After Peter had fished all night, catching nothing, Jesus came to him, asking to use his boat. He needed it as a speaking platform to teach the crowds gathered there to hear Him. When He finished speaking, He told Peter to put the boat out into “deep water” and let down
March 22, 2020
HAVE YOU SEEN STRANGE THINGS TODAY? When some men brought a paralyzed man to see Jesus in hopes of having him healed, they couldn’t enter the house because of the crowds. So they opened a hole in the roof and lowered him in on his bed. Seeing such faith, Jesus declared the man’s sins forgiven.
March 22, 2018
CHRIST’S MIRACLES ARE PROOFS OF HIS DIVINITY
The Pharisees were upset by Jesus telling a paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven. They said to themselves that he had committed blasphemy because only God had the authority to forgive sins. Jesus knew their thoughts, so he asked them which is easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? Then, without pause, he commanded the paralyzed man to stand up and walk. He said that this miracle should “prove” his authority as the “Son of Man” (A Messianic title).
Jesus offered many “proofs” of His divinity. That’s why the apostle John called Christ’s miracles, “signs” in his gospel. Sign’s don’t point to themselves. They identify the place, person or thing. Jesus’ miracles were signs pointing to His identity as the Messiah, both Son of Man and Son of God. They were proofs that He had the authority of God because He is God.
March 23, 2017
This was Christ’s response to those who questioned why he associated with sinners, even eating and drinking with them. He had come to call sinners to repentance. Those who thought themselves righteous, as the Pharisees did, would not answer the call. Only those who admitted their sin would hear and obey his call.
This is still Christ’s ministry. As the Father sent him, he sends us (John 20:21). Having repented of our sins and believed in Jesus, we are sent to call sinners to repentance too.
March 23, 2016
The Pharisees challenged Jesus’ choice of disciples. Unlike the followers of Pharisaic rabbis, or even the disciples of John the Baptist, the disciples of Jesus were considered uneducated and uncouth. They didn’t even fast. But Jesus defended his followers. First, he explained that fasting and wedding parties didn’t go together. His disciples were with the Bridegroom now, they would fast later when he was not with them. Then, he used a parable to illustrate the thinking behind his choice of disciples. He had called them because they were flexible enough to be teachable. Christ’s teaching was the “new wine,” and his disciples were the “new wineskins.” He didn’t have to overcome all of the Pharisaic teachings and additions to the Mosaic law with them. Every word he taught wasn’t challenged, but freely received by his disciples. Christ chose his disciples because they recognized him as having authority and were willing to believe and follow him. The Pharisees were like “old wineskins” that wouldn’t accept Christ’s authority, nor his teaching. The Pharisees were prideful, self-righteous and judgmental of others. Christ’s disciples were humble, self-confessed sinners who were amazed that Jesus would even consider calling them. What kind of “wineskin” are you?
March 22, 2016
A man “full of leprosy” fell on his face before Jesus saying, “Lord if you are will, you can make me clean.” And the Lord, who could’ve healed from afar, came near and touched the man who was leprous all over and said, “I will, be clean.” Jesus was not only willing to heal the leper, he was willing to touch him. The first action demonstrated divine power, the second divine love. Certainly, we rejoice in Christ’s healing and forgiving power that saves us. Yet, that Jesus is willing to touch us, calling us his own, moves us to even greater thankfulness and joy. He is not only Physician, but Friend!