February 13, 2018 Tuesday

“And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”  — He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”” (Mark 2:1-12 NKJV)

            Wouldn’t it be amazing if people broke into a church building to be able to worship?  I remember reading that as many people gathered to worship in China they cannot sing out so they mouth the hymns so they wouldn’t be discovered and arrested. 

            In the days of the disciples Christians in Rome gathered in the catacombs (underground places where they dead were taken) to worship so they would not be discovered and put to death.  Even today you can see the paintings and decorations they placed on the walls and remind us of their sacrifice of praise!

            When I was in the Navy I got to go to Rome and visited the catacombs where you walked in narrow corridors with shelves on either side with bodies on each shelf.  You would then come into a small room at a junction and the walls would be painted with Christian symbols and signs that it had been a place of worship.  I marveled at their desire to worship even underground and at the cost of their life!

            Yet in peaceful countries church buildings are often mostly empty or being sold to become museums, craft stores or even apartment complexes.  Many congregations have twice as many members as those who attend worship leaving not just empty pews but also empty lives.

            What would it be like to have such a hunger for God that you would rip the roof off if there was not room?  What would it be like celebrate God’s salvation and healing in the fullness of the joy of God’s love?

            Is true worship when you go beyond your “reasoning” and follow your heart and desire God more than anything or anyone else?

            The weariness and pain are not quite as bad so I was able to do more today.  Was able to organize my stuff better and even fix a simple supper.  I was so weary afterward but it felt good to do something when I was able.  God enabled me to finish up the cards for shut-ins.  It usually takes me a couple of days to get them done.