Today’s reading

Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

Selected Verses

“But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments, if you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consume the eyes and make the heart ache. Leviticus 26:14-16

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5

Reflections

The picture God painted for the Israelites of life in the Promised Land, pending full obedience on their part, is nothing short of glorious. Everything the heart could legitimately long for was included as long as the people were careful to obey God’s law. The contrasting consequences, should they not be faithful, is a nightmare. They would experience disease, famine, insecurity, families torn apart, and, ultimately, ejection from the land.

As we will see in the ensuing centuries, despite the warning Israel did disobey and experienced all of God's foretold consequences. Even so, the Messiah came to them. Jesus Christ came and healed the sick, cast out demons, preached the good news of the kingdom of God, and forgave the sins of a paralyzed man.

Jesus never taught that there was always a direct correspondence between a person’s sins and his diseases (John 9:1-3). But He did show that He had power to forgive sin and to eradicate its impact on our bodies.

Think about it

Have you wondered if the sickness you or others suffer is some kind of divine punishment for sin? In a general sense, all the disease and suffering in this world is a result of our rebellion against God. But in a particular sense, it is seldom possible to connect our sin to our sicknesses in a direct cause and effect relationship.

All sickness isn't caused by our personal sin. But sickness may bring us to Christ who defeated both sin and sickness. When we come to Him seeking a solution to our felt needs (sickness, relational problems, depression, etc.), we find that He will address our real need (forgiveness and eternal life). Trust Him completely for what He knows you need today and forever.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission