Daily Readings - Fri Jan 18 2019
Hebrews
1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Mark
1And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.2And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.3And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.4And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.5When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.6But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,7Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?8And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?9Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?10But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)11I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.12And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on faith and God's grace. The first reading from Hebrews invites us to consider the rest that God promises, a rest that is not merely physical but deeply spiritual. It warns us against the dangers of unbelief, which can prevent us from fully embracing this divine gift. The context of this passage is a reminder to early Christians, and by extension to us, that faith is essential to entering into God's rest. The author emphasizes that hearing the word is not enough; it must be accompanied by faith to be transformative.
The Gospel from Mark vividly illustrates this theme through the story of the paralytic man. Jesus' authority to forgive sins and heal is on full display, challenging the skepticism of the scribes. The context here is one of tension between traditional religious authority and the radical message of Jesus. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on faith as the bridge between God's grace and human experience. In Mark, the faith of the friends who carry the paralytic leads to his healing, much like the faith required to enter God's rest in Hebrews.
Applying these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's plan and His power to transform us. Just as the paralytic man needed others to carry him to Jesus, we may need the support of others in our journey of faith. The moral lesson here is clear: faith is not passive but active, requiring us to step out in trust, even when the path is uncertain. Let us, therefore, approach life with the faith that opens us to God's rest and healing, recognizing His presence in every moment.