We Have Seen Incredible Things Today

We Have Seen Incredible Things Today

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense, he comes to save you. Isaiah 35:2C-4

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, "What are you thinking in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"– he said to the one who was paralyzed, "I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." Luke 5:22-24

Piety

Born in the Night, Mary's Child

Born in the night,
Mary's Child,
a long way from your home;
coming in need,
Mary's Child,
born in a borrowed room.

Clear shining light,
Mary's Child,
your face lights up our way;
light of the world,
Mary's Child,
dawn on our darkened day.

Truth of our life,
Mary's Child,
you tell us God is good;
prove it is true,
Mary's Child,
go to your cross of wood.

Hope of the world,
Mary's Child,
you're coming soon to reign;
King of the earth,
Mary's Child,
walk in our streets again.

Geoffrey Ainger (1925-2012)

Study

“We have seen incredible things today.” Luke 5:26

Just as Isaiah predicted.  They saw the glory of God.

It was revealed in how the men with a friend were drawn to Jesus – they would not be thwarted in their hope to have their friend cured.  When Jesus saw the healing faith of the friends and the means they would go to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, he forgave their sins. Yet, that is not why they came there, not why they lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof.

It was revealed in the curing of the paralyzed man who was able to “rise and walk” home, even though he was brought to Jesus on a stretcher. This is an interesting choice of words for Jesus to use.  He was walking in our streets and he will rise and walk in our streets again.

It was revealed in Jesus knowing what people were thinking in their hearts. Although they accused him of blasphemy, how can Jesus (God made man) blaspheme himself?  How can he be accused of acting like a deity when he is the deity?

Jesus asks which is easier: to forgive sins or to cure the paralyzed?  Neither is easy.  These are both impossible for an itinerant preacher from Nazareth, but not for God-made-man.

Yes.  We have seen incredible things today. 

Action

“We have seen incredible things today.”

The dusting of snow on the grass and trees reveals the luster of winter to come. (See the weather forecast for this week.)

We have seen a man land and walk on the moon and return safely to the Earth. (See Apollo XI through XVII).

We have seen pictures inside a womb of a baby growing to term. (See “A Child is Born” by Lennart Nilsson)

We have seen the storm clouds followed by the rainbow.

What incredible things do you see today?