After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus came down and showed His power again and again. He touched a leper and made him clean, in Matthew 8:1–4. He healed a Roman centurion’s servant with only a word, from far away. And He marveled at the centurion’s faith. See Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10. He healed Peter’s mother-in-law and a man with a withered hand, in Mark 3:1–5. He raised a widow’s only son at Nain, in Luke 7:11–15. The Teacher on the mountain is the Son of God. He has power over sickness, death, sin and even nature.
Mark 2:1–12 is a favorite for kids. The house in Capernaum was so packed nobody could get to the door. So four friends carried a man who couldn’t walk up onto the roof. They opened a hole and lowered him down on his bed. When Jesus saw “their faith,” He first forgave the man’s sins. Then He healed his body, so everyone would know He has power to forgive. For newly baptized eight-year-olds, this is a powerful pair. Jesus forgives when we repent. And like the four friends, we can help bring others to Him. Critics complained that He ate with sinners. He said a doctor comes for the sick, not the healthy, in Mark 2:17.
Mark 4:35–41 is the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was asleep on a pillow in the back of the boat while waves filled it. The frightened disciples woke Him: “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” He stood and spoke to the wind and sea: “Peace, be still.” And there was a great calm. He does care. He doesn’t always stop our storms right away. But He can always bring peace inside us, and His power is greater than anything we fear.
Luke 7:36–50 tells of a woman who had sinned. She washed Jesus’s feet with her tears while a Pharisee silently judged her. Jesus forgave her and said, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” Here’s the thread through every story this week. People came to Jesus with faith, and He responded with love and power. Keep the focus on His kindness, not on anyone’s sins.
