TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5
Listen: Mark 2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jewish life revolved around the temple. It was the center of both religious and social life. It was a sacred space. The Jews didn’t have much going for them in the first century. They were occupied by Rome, a foreign power. The ruling Herodian dynasty was appointed by the Romans and they weren’t even full Jews. The one thing going for them was a renovated temple. It was majestic. Its presence in the city meant God was with the people. It was the physical location where sins could be forgiven. It was sacred.
Jesus steps into this world—a world where the temple and what it represents is almost all the people have left. He begins to challenge everything people understand about God. He claims he can forgive sins, which means he is God. Essentially, he is trying to put himself at the center of life, instead of the temple. This significance cannot be overstated.
Jesus still steps into our world and makes the same claim today. Challenging whatever we’ve placed at the center of our life, he instead asks us to put him there. Over the next four days, we will look at some of the implications of what Jesus as temple means for us today.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Read Chapter Nine of the book, A Doubter’s Guide to Jesus today with a pen or pencil in hand. Underline/highlight things that are significant to you. Then, download the lock screen below as a reminder that Jesus forgives sins and saves.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
