In our reading from service yesterday and in today’s devotional, we hear how Jesus gladly shared the forgiveness of sins. In our day and age, we often think that people live guiltless lives with no regard for sin. If you listen long enough, however, you will sense that people are in desperate need of a word that forgives, frees, heals, and restores them.
The key confession of Christianity is the forgiveness of sins available in Jesus Christ. There is no karma, no reincarnation, etc. In Jesus Christ, God reveals his mercy for humanity and gladly bestows such gifts in his Kingdom. The story of the paralytic is a powerful picture of our life of faith: Carried by the Holy Spirit, we are laid before Jesus who forgives, heals, and restores, and promises that we will be raised with him to new life! We hear this message at Church and then we are sent to share this Word of forgiveness and new life in the places where we go.
With you, Forgiven and Free –
Pastor Culynn
To prepare for worship on Sunday
(June 10), you are invited to read:
Mark 3:7-21; 31-35