Thursday, 4 August 2011

SOAP - August 4

Scripture
Mark 2 (MSG) Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins...Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home."

Observation
I've read this encounter with Jesus a fair few times & would normally associate it with the stance of the Pharisees. This morning I saw something different.

Despite being 'good to go' after Jesus' first statement - Son, I forgive your sins, the man only manifested his wholeness after the second more practical statement - Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.

Application
I'm going to sin today, hopefully not on purpose, but the reality is I will (in fact I already have). Rather than needing to hear Jesus a second time with a clearer instruction, I'm going to be quicker to embrace His forgiveness & live in the freedom it brings.

Prayer
Lord, I have very little idea why you love me or indeed how much you love me. Alongside this choosing to forgive the things I've done wrong & do wrong is mind boggling.

Help me not to need to work it all out or need loads of instruction but be quick to embrace your mercy & grace.

Thanks - Jonathan

No comments: