The olive trees standing next to the lamps with seven lamps
on each represent a constant supply of oil for those lamps which will never go
out. They do not require human activity
to keep them lit. So it is with the
power of the Holy Spirit, it is not dependent on human action but is a
never-ceasing stream poured out if we will but cooperate. This is a picture similar to Jesus’
illustration of the vine and branches from John 15 where we are called to abide
in Him in order that we might have His Spirit always flowing as He did in the
flesh by abiding in the Father. As
Zerubbabel was overseeing the rebuilding of the temple it was certainly a
daunting task and easy to be discouraged over the amount of work to be done in
order to re-establish it so here the Lord speaks through Zechariah to encourage
the people not to despise the day of small things because their perseverance
would lead to its completion. Indeed the
work we are given to do is huge, preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth
but we have been given a promise of presence and we have seen that promise
fulfilled in the pouring out of the Spirit.
It seems to me that it is likely that the paralysis was due
to some sin in this man’s life. That
Jesus first speaks the word of forgiveness and then the healing suggests that
connection. There are no other healings
that follow this formula. It seems
unlikely that He proclaimed the forgiveness simply to provoke the religious
people. His friends are certainly a
testimony to the man. Their willingness
to do anything possible to get him before the healer is a credit to them, they
seek nothing for themselves, only for their friend. Unlike the man at the pool at Bethesda who
had no one near to help him into the water, this man had friends who were
willing to do whatever it took to get him in a place where healing was
possible. The healing of the paralytic
was a demonstration of the power of Jesus over the body and surely the power to
forgive.
Forgiveness is meant to change us. We receive forgiveness for sins that we might
now walk in grace. The bidding to
confession is straightforward, “You who do truly and earnestly repent you of
your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead
a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in
his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and make your humble confession to
Almighty God.” That is what Paul is
saying to the Ephesians, you formerly walked in the way of the world, you saw
the light, you not only confessed your sins, you repented of them, turned away
from them, and now you are to live differently from the way you used to live
and the way the world lives. Get up and
walk like you’ve been forgiven, you have the Holy Spirit within you. Simple, right?
Hail, Thou once
despisèd Jesus! Hail, Thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to
release us; Thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, Thou universal
Savior, who hast borne our sin and shame!
By Thy merits we find
favor; life is given through Thy Name.
Paschal Lamb, by God
appointed, all our sins on Thee were laid;
By almighty love
anointed, Thou hast full atonement made.
Every sin may be
forgiven through the virtue of Thy blood;
Opened is the gate of
Heaven, reconciled are we with God.
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