During this time of Lent, we are called to focus on our sins and shortcomings, and for some, that means giving up of something and/or adding something to our lives in hopes of drawing closer to God.
While sin is never a fun topic to think of, these 40 days are here to form and shape us. Just like the paralytic Jesus encountered, we always don’t come to God with our greatest need in hand. In Mark 2:1-12, the paralytic’s friends come to Christ with one purpose…to have their friend healed. With great determination, they lower him to Jesus. How hard do we try to get to Jesus? Are we willing to dig and claw our way through mud and climb the heights to get to Christ? Jesus sees their faith and heals the man, right?
Not right away..He sees his greatest need, for his sins to be forgiven. Jesus pronounces his sins forgiven, and He opens up the floodgates of controversy! How can this man dare to forgive sins? Who does He think He is? think the Pharisees. Jesus is about to give them the answer…as He alone can.
“So you may know that the Son of Man has power to forgive sins…” Wow!! What a statement! Not only does He forgive his sins, He heals him so he can walk. The man thought he needed to be healed physically, Christ knew he needed his spiritual problem to be healed first. How often do we come to Christ with a material, physical or even spiritual issue before we address our sin issue?
Christ knows our sins need forgiven before we do, and He waits for us to ask, so our relationship with Him many not be hindered. Lent is a time when we look inward, to examine ourselves and see areas that need change, and to ask God to forgive us, so we can move on in out walk with Him. May we all find “a closer walk with Thee” during this time of Lent.
Tom McCormick is an alum, parent and volunteer at Delanco Camp. Image credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
