The Holy Hole

Tuesday  2-23-16 (Martinez, Buenos Aires, Argentina)     

Scripture reading for today:    Num 12 – 13   Psalm 90   Mark 2

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Mark 2:6-7 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Vs 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!  NKJV

O.  The scribes were men that knew a lot about the scriptures.  Their job was, in part, to copy scriptures with no mistakes.  They were the nearest thing they had to a printer machine in those days.  They sat there and didn’t say a word, but Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking in their hearts.  So he proved to them that He had the power to forgive sins by instantly healing the paralyzed man.  Wow!  Everybody was amazed (including the scribes) and I hope they joined the others as they all glorified God.  I wonder if any of those skeptical scribes ever became Jesus’ true followers.  It was probably harder for them.  It is likely that their very jobs were at stake.

A.  I have an advantage over those in the house with a big hole in the roof.  I have been looking at Jesus through the divinely prepared lens, not only of the Old Testament that these men knew so well, but also with the revelation of Jesus in the New Testament.  To me it is easy to accept that Jesus has power to forgive sins, for he forgave mine and washed their ugly stain all away. 

Note: If our dear Roman Catholic friends had been around on that day... they would have cordoned off that “Holy Hole” and saved it.  Just think of the coins the tourists would be willing to drop in the chest... just to look up at that leaky roof.  Yes, and surely they would pay extra to be lowered through the original hole.  Let’s say the owner of the house was a guy named Daniel.  “Sorry Danny boy, you will have to move out.  We are taking charge of this Holy Hole”.  We all tend to give special value to tangible icons.  May the Lord help us to fix our eyes upon Jesus and let the brother fix his roof!

P.  Father God, how good You have been to me!  Your Word was firmly planted in my soul when I was still a small child.  And since I have been so privileged, I know that my responsibility is greater.  Your Holy Son taught us: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  (Luke 12:48 NIV)  May I fulfill Your divine purposes for this very blessed life You have given me!  Amen.

Ralph