January 28 | Luke 5:17-26

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DAILY READING

Luke 5:17-26

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REFLECTION

Who Is This Guy?

By Pam Mann

What an uproar Jesus is causing throughout the countryside! He is such a masterful teacher that teachers of the law can’t keep away. Sure, they resent the authority with which Jesus teaches but they keep coming to hear him. Who is this guy anyway? They must wonder.

Then, there’s the fact that the power of God is upon Jesus to heal the sick. Of course, every diseased or disabled person wants to find Jesus. Who is this guy? Can he heal even me? They wonder.

Jesus is such a phenomenon that he needs a stadium, not an ordinary house, to receive all the folks who want to know who He is. The house is packed to overflowing when the men arrive carrying their paralyzed friend on his mat. It’s likely that they also wonder: Who is this guy?  But they’ve come this far. They’re not going home without meeting the man face-to-face and learning firsthand if all the stories of miraculous healings are true. Well, if you can’t get through the crowd, you go up and over them. Worry about the busted-up roof later.

The homeowner doesn’t even stop them. When the paralytic gets lowered down in front of Jesus, he doesn’t reprimand them for the property damage. Instead, Jesus jumps to this most important issue for every soul in the house. He says: “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Hmm... is forgiveness what the fatigued friends of the paralytic were seeking? Imagine their puzzled looks while the Pharisees and teachers of the law are muttering to each other. The teachers wonder: Who is this guy who thinks he can forgive sins? Only God can forgive sin!

Jesus says to the grumblers: I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.

Now is the moment for all present to learn who is this guy? Who Jesus is? He says to the paralyzed man: Get up and walk. The man rises, takes his mat, and walks home!

Who is this guy? He is the One who has all authority and power. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Who is this guy? He is the true God who can forgive sin.

Who is this guy? He is the healer of body and soul. He is the Messiah, the long-awaited One, in whom the fullness of God dwells.

Don’t hang back. Dismantle anything that keeps you from the presence of Jesus. Ignore the naysayers and head straight to Jesus. Heed His command to stand and walk. Be amazed.

PRAYER

Praise to You, Jesus! You are the lover of our souls, the healer of our bodies, the sacrifice for our sin, and the power source for our walk in You. We know who You are, and we want to know You deeper.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.

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