Early the next morning,
he got up before sunrise and went off by himself. Finding him; Peter passed on the crowd’s demands for Jesus, and he said to them, “Let’s go to other towns. I must speak-out the good news of God’s Kingdom to the other cities also. This is why I have been sent.”
In one town,
a man with leprosy fell on his face worshiping Jesus, and said, “Powerful-One, if you want to, you can make me clean.” Jesus touched him and said, “I want to.” Then as if Jesus was splashing him with freedom, said, “Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and Jesus instructed him, “Don’t tell anyone! Show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift Moses commanded for your cleansing (as a proof for them).”
Jesus sent him away immediately, and it seemed like that healed man made a conscious choice to do the opposite of what Jesus had instructed.
From then on
Jesus couldn’t openly enter anywhere without people coming from everywhere to hear him (and bringing the sick to be healed).
Even still, Jesus always seemed to end up out by nowhere (away from the crowds) – alone in deserted places.
A few days later, he crossed back over by boat to his hometown (Capernaum).
Everyone made it into the house without being accosted, but it wasn’t long until there were people filling the house – and even standing in the doors and around the outside… all the while, Jesus was so content he seemed almost playful; teaching and healing.
It was at this point that four people carried a paralyzed man onto Simon’s roof, tore a hole in the roof, because they were determined to get their friend in front of Jesus. On top of the house (with the cripple man, and his cot), they took apart enough of the roof to allow them to lower their friend (while he was laying on his cot) until he was in front of Jesus. After this had all played out, Jesus replied, “Cheer up son, your sins are forgiven”
The religious experts and leaders present rippled with scoffs and questions, that turned from a murmur into side conversations. Quoting scriptures and accusing Jesus of blaspheming God, and asking, “Who can forgive wrongs, except God alone?!?”
Jesus answered, “Why do you think these evil things in your hearts? So… which is easier; to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Get up; Take your bed and walk?’ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” (then the spoke to the paralyzed man) and said clearly and publicly, “I tell you; get up and pick up your mat, and go home.”
At that moment, the electricity in the air sparkled as hairs stood up on skin. The man who was lowered through the roof on his cot, stood up. Then he reached down, and picked up his bed he had been lowered on, and people parted with awe. The healed man walked out in front of everyone in the house (praising God).
Those who require God to fit into their religion, were left fondling their fear.
NEXT UP:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
SOURCE
TEXTS:
This post includes all Jesus’ words from:
CLARIFIED
WORDING:
- “elsewhere into the next towns” replaced with “to other towns”
- “preach” is replaced with “speak-out”
- “For this reason” replaced with “This is why”
- “See that you tell nobody” replaced with “Do not tell anyone”
- “and offer for your cleansing the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them” is replaced with “offer the gift Moses commanded for your cleansing as a proof for them.”
- “Take up” is replaced with “pick up”
Bible Dictionary: a list of Bible words and phrases (typically Jesus’ words) which don’t have clear meaning when used in daily talk, and are simplified / culturally paraphrased in this story – in pursuit of understanding.
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