Feb 24 - Lenten Devotional

"Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed... finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed... When he saw their faith, he said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven you.' Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, 'Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"' When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, 'Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?'" (Luke 5:18-22)

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You will have noticed already that this is a much longer selection of Luke. I have done so with intention because I want to contrast two groups here - the friends of the lame man and the Pharisees. It is not my wish to bad mouth the Pharisees - the mistakes they make here are mistakes the disciples make in other places in the gospels (with equal rebuke from Jesus). However the Pharisees here serve to highlight a "type" of communal dysfunction contrasted to the behavior of the lame man's friends.

One group gathers to serve (we aren't even given their names - only their relationship). The other gathers to find fault, to discredit and stand in the way of healing.

One group gathers to do whatever necessary - even "break" rules and move quite literally outside the box of expectation - to get healing for their friend. The other gathers to protect their power and standing in the community at the expense of others.


One group's demonstrable faith leads to life for their friend. The other groups closed hearts and ill will was unable to see the miraculous presence of God because they could not imagine God at work in ways beyond their knowledge.

To one group Jesus responds with healing because he is moved by the testimony of their lives. The other group receives rebuke: "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?"

Discipleship is a group activity. Not only does discipleship require a teacher - but it is almost exclusively a communal activity in the bible - wherever two or more are gathered. The question of this text then becomes not whether or not to choose community... but are you choosing the right community?

I often like to remind people that there actually isn't anything wrong with peer pressure - in fact it's a good thing... so long as you are in a good community. We just don't call that peer pressure - we call it accountability... we call it nurture and guidance... we call it journeying with us... we call it mentoring, partnering, serving. And in the right communities the people with whom we do these things have a faith that makes US well.

Are you putting yourself in the right communities in your life?

Are you being good community for others
offering service, nurture, affirmation and accountability?

Is your faith and the faith of your community making others well?

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Healing God - heal us, not only in body, mind, and spirit - but heal our communities as well. Help us to be guided by care and nurture rather than self interest and fear. Guide us to affirm one another and grow together as we follow you. Amen.