IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Get Up, Take Your Mat and Go Home!

Date: Nov. 21, 2016

Passage

Luke 5:17-26  (ESV)

17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 5:24

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

First, the faith of some friends (17-20). While Jesus was teaching in a house and a great crowd surrounded him, some men came with a paralyzed man on a mat. They were true friends, for they brought their buddy to Jesus. They even dug a hole in the roof and lowered their paralyzed friend on a mat right in front of Jesus. When we want to help a friend, we must overcome obstacles to bring that person to Jesus. Jesus recognized their faith and in turn forgave the man's sins.

Second, the authority to forgive sins (21-26). Some Pharisees who were there began to think that Jesus had spoken blasphemy. Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking and challenged them, saying, "Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?" Then Jesus commanded the man with the authority of God to get up, pick up his mat and walk. Immediately, the man got up, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Through this event Jesus displayed that he is God who has power to make the paralyzed walk and authority to forgive our sins (24).

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace of forgiveness and your power to change lives. Help me to get up from my despair and walk by faith today.

One Word: Get up!

Daily Bread

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

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Intro Daily

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references