The readings for days 61 to 65, starting on Monday 28th April, are:
John 9 Luke 5:17-26 Mark 5:1-20 Mark 5:21-43 John 11:1-45
2 comments:
Anonymous
said...
It struck me today that forgiveness of sin was more important to Jesus than healing the disabled gentleman.That it was this guys friends faith that got rewarded with his healing and not necesarily his.Two very important distinctions to make when we consider our disabled brothers and sisters at church. God has saved them just like us by forgiveness of sins. That is the vital thing. It also amused me as with the growing number of wheelchair users at church the guys in this reading solution to getting their friend into Jesus' presence might have to become a serious option for us :)
Maybe its in light of recent Austrian news, maybe its in light of yesterdays reading where the 4 guys went to such lengths to help their friend but I can't help but see something vaguely sinister about the towns people in todays reading. They have a demon possessed man who when left to his own devices only makes a racket and hurts himself. A man who is chained up many times in responce to his possession. Why didn't they seek Jesus out? Or at least some holy man? Why is the mans first reaction after correctly identifying Jesus to beg not to be tortured? Do they have reason to fear that this man now being in his right mind?Is that why Jesus is asked to leave? The Bible doesn't make it clear but doesn't completely rule this take out. Certainly there could have been more hints of compassion from the villagers. I used to feel sorry for them losing their pigs to cure this man. I'm tempted to see it now as a way in which they have to take responcibility for the well being of a member of their community. Just a thought.
2 comments:
It struck me today that forgiveness of sin was more important to Jesus than healing the disabled gentleman.That it was this guys friends faith that got rewarded with his healing and not necesarily his.Two very important distinctions to make when we consider our disabled brothers and sisters at church. God has saved them just like us by forgiveness of sins. That is the vital thing.
It also amused me as with the growing number of wheelchair users at church the guys in this reading solution to getting their friend into Jesus' presence might have to become a serious option for us :)
Maybe its in light of recent Austrian news, maybe its in light of yesterdays reading where the 4 guys went to such lengths to help their friend but I can't help but see something vaguely sinister about the towns people in todays reading. They have a demon possessed man who when left to his own devices only makes a racket and hurts himself. A man who is chained up many times in responce to his possession. Why didn't they seek Jesus out? Or at least some holy man? Why is the mans first reaction after correctly identifying Jesus to beg not to be tortured? Do they have reason to fear that this man now being in his right mind?Is that why Jesus is asked to leave?
The Bible doesn't make it clear but doesn't completely rule this take out. Certainly there could have been more hints of compassion from the villagers. I used to feel sorry for them losing their pigs to cure this man. I'm tempted to see it now as a way in which they have to take responcibility for the well being of a member of their community. Just a thought.
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