Immobilized by guilt; freed by love

Morning: Psalm 105:1-22; Zechariah 4:1-14; Ephesians 4:17-32

Evening: Psalm 105:23-45; Matthew 9:1-8

‘Authority’ is misunderstood in our culture as the abusive and arbitrary use of power.  But the authority at work in Jesus is the compelling power of love.  This loving authority forgives, puts away the paralyzing burden of guilt and makes people free again.  The paralytic whom Jesus heals is everyone who has ever been immobilized by the consequences of their own wilful actions.  Yet Jesus has the authority to release them.  He says to the man “Get up!” Jesus will also ‘get up’ and show that the power of death will never defeat the power of love.