Signs of Spiritual Awakening Pt. 3

(Taken from the Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus series.)

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

                                                                                    Mark 2:5-6

Even though the obvious need of the man being lowered from the roof was his paralysis; Jesus chose to address his spiritual condition first! When it comes to authentic spiritual awakening, salvation must be the primary spiritual experience.

Jesus could have immediately gone to healing this man’s body; however he dealt with the man’s most pressing need; his eternal salvation.

The religious leaders of Jesus day were uncomfortable enough with Jesus’ power to heal the sick; now He was exercising an authority that they believed belonged to God alone. They were already conflicted concerning where Jesus’ power to heal originated! So how would they reconcile this to their long held beliefs?

“Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

                                                                                    Mark 2:8-12

As impressive as it may have been to watch this man get up off of his mat and walk away; Jesus made it clear that the man’s eternal future was far more important than his physical healing.

 

It is very easy, when revival begins to take place, to allow healing, deliverance, and signs and wonders to become the preoccupation of our gatherings. Jesus made certain to prioritize man’s need for spiritual wholeness before his need of physical wholeness.

Jesus said in Luke 19:10:

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

This continued focus on keeping salvation as the primary spiritual experience in our services will provide a strong foundation for continued growth and maturity within our congregations.

 

Pastor Scott Burr                                                                    

http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/