The Servant Messiah 8
The Second Retreat - Luke 5:18-26
The healing of the leper had kindled the first spark of genuine challenge and resistance from religious leaders. To the Scribes and Pharisees touching the leper meant breaking the cherished law. Messiah knew what was to follow. He needed serious meditation and prayer. A new direction must be established: from religious rigidity to compassion, from self-righteous pride to love and understanding, from outer control to inner devotion to spiritual values.
It was not an easy undertaking, for these were God’s chosen people. This bastion of laws had been erected as a bulwark to bring the advent of Messiah. When the political state was destroyed, the conclusion was formed: the people had forgotten the law of God and trampled it into the dust. During the exile they became more aware of the Ten Commandments. They recognized the significance of the commandments as related to moral and spiritual development. The local Synagogues were erected for this purpose and a new group of teachers, the Scribes and a new group of leaders emerged. These very people who meant so much to the preparation of the world for the advent of Messiah would not understand. This is why Messiah wept when he entered Jerusalem in the last days.
The situation was indeed quite complex. Messiah must make a serious effort to correct the excesses of the present order and give a new understanding of God’s purpose. God’s people must move on from their present level of understanding to higher thoughts and higher ways. There would indeed be a new covenant relationship. Messiah prayed, for he needed wisdom, patience, and spiritual resources to face this difficult and complicated task.
The first skirmish was soon to take place. A paralyzed man was brought for healing. Since the doorway of the house was blocked they let him down through the parted brush in the roof. Messiah was moved by this display of faith and devotion. The great physician responded by offering to heal:"Thy sins are forgiven thee." Some diseases are related to guilt. A belief in forgiveness would heal the present one but ignite vehement opposition. Only God can forgive.
The healing of the leper had kindled the first spark of genuine challenge and resistance from religious leaders. To the Scribes and Pharisees touching the leper meant breaking the cherished law. Messiah knew what was to follow. He needed serious meditation and prayer. A new direction must be established: from religious rigidity to compassion, from self-righteous pride to love and understanding, from outer control to inner devotion to spiritual values.
It was not an easy undertaking, for these were God’s chosen people. This bastion of laws had been erected as a bulwark to bring the advent of Messiah. When the political state was destroyed, the conclusion was formed: the people had forgotten the law of God and trampled it into the dust. During the exile they became more aware of the Ten Commandments. They recognized the significance of the commandments as related to moral and spiritual development. The local Synagogues were erected for this purpose and a new group of teachers, the Scribes and a new group of leaders emerged. These very people who meant so much to the preparation of the world for the advent of Messiah would not understand. This is why Messiah wept when he entered Jerusalem in the last days.
The situation was indeed quite complex. Messiah must make a serious effort to correct the excesses of the present order and give a new understanding of God’s purpose. God’s people must move on from their present level of understanding to higher thoughts and higher ways. There would indeed be a new covenant relationship. Messiah prayed, for he needed wisdom, patience, and spiritual resources to face this difficult and complicated task.
The first skirmish was soon to take place. A paralyzed man was brought for healing. Since the doorway of the house was blocked they let him down through the parted brush in the roof. Messiah was moved by this display of faith and devotion. The great physician responded by offering to heal:"Thy sins are forgiven thee." Some diseases are related to guilt. A belief in forgiveness would heal the present one but ignite vehement opposition. Only God can forgive.
posted by Dr. James F. Hubbard at 3:06 PM
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