I’m going to present to you a block of scripture today. No comments. Just read this and take it in. If you happen to keep a journal, take notes as you read about the passages as they strike you. I will post my thoughts on this passage later this week.
I will give you a hint on what I’m thinking though. I’ll break up the passage into three chunks. I have a few notes on these three chunks, but to be honest, the stomach bug that’s ripping through Georgia right now has me in its grasp. If the rest of my family is any indication, later tomorrow I’ll feel better. We’ll see.
Passage 1
12While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
13And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.
14And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Luke 5:12–14 (NASB95)
Passage 2
15But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
16But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
Luke 5:15–16 (NASB95)
Passage 3
17One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing.
18And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him.
19But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.
20Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”
21The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
Luke 5:17–21 (NASB95)
Mark, I hope you feel better soon!