October 24
Scripture of the day: "And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.' But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 'Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?' Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, 'Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?'" Mark 2:5-8
Thought of the day: Four men dug a hole through the roof ... and lowered their paralyzed friend into the room where Jesus was speaking the word. How unusual it must have seemed to everyone to hear Jesus say, "Son, your sins are forgiven." The four men had brought their friend to be physically healed. And the paralytic must have hoped for physical healing. But Jesus forgave his sins. Did he understand that his spiritual healing was more important than his physical healing? However, the scribes were very shocked. They wondered in their hearts why Jesus would speak such words. They knew that only God could forgive sins. Not knowing that Jesus was God, they thought He was blaspheming.
Challenge of the day: Jesus said to them, "Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?" That could have been an even bigger shock to them. How could a mere man know what they were reasoning in their hearts? But Jesus, being God, knew what they were thinking, Luke 16:15. "God sees not as man sees ... the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7. The scribes must have been shocked ... but you aren't shocked because you know that Jesus is God. Do you act like you believe that God knows your heart ... knows your thoughts? He knows everything about you ... be a good steward of your heart and thoughts.
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