The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

HEALING

The psalmist, in this single verse, spoke of both healing and forgiveness of sins. During one instance in Jesus’ ministry, he used a single miracle to prove his authority to accomplish both physical healing and spiritual forgiveness. In the Gospel of Mark, while Jesus was teaching, a crowd pressed in on him. Unable to reach Jesus through the crowd, a group of people lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof of the house to be healed by Jesus. This man’s need was obvious — he needed physical healing. Jesus, seemingly insensitive, said, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mk 2:5). The teachers of the law nearby thought Jesus blasphemed by claiming to do something only God could do. So Jesus, knowing their innermost thoughts, asked which would be easier: to heal someone or to say he forgave his sins? The idea was that it would be easier to say his sins were forgiven, since no one could verify that kind of spiritual transformation.

Jesus chose the harder thing to prove his authority. He said, “But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home” (Mk 2:10 – 11). The man stood up, proving what Psalm 103:3 says: Jesus can both heal and forgive.

Jesus, you are the Great Physician. I know people right now who need healing, and I ask you to heal them physically and spiritually. Heal their bodies, and draw their hearts closer to you. Amen.