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Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.

-Mark 3: 13-14

The four gospels aim to make us wise by helping us get up close to the life of Jesus and seeing how he lived his life. The gospels invite us to imagine ourselves into the stories that the characters in the story were faced with. Jesus’ actions as King during the time he was walking around on earth are intended as a template for us.

So when Jesus came preaching about God and putting right the evils of this present age, healing diseases and oppression, the bible fits this into the context of God coming to act as the ruling king. God was beginning a promised transformation of this earth. The phrases ‘the kingdom of God ‘ and ‘son of God’ have very similar connotations, the active working of God as King of the world in real time.

Jesus’ action as king involves others. Those who were being blessed by the transformation which had begun and they were being drawn in by this movement of God as king. There was a level of allegiance involved. But Jesus calls people closer, “Come be more involved with the work of the king.”

When we see our calling in the context of a King reclaiming a lost kingdom we can see what our response should be. If the true king of this world is coming to act within this world the correct response is our allegiance, our loyalty. If Jesus is the Son of God the promised King then my actions and purposes need to be aligned to the actions and purposes of the King. Not just for a moment but a set daily allegiance to the King.

If we see our relationship with Jesus in terms of being loyal subjects of the true King of the cosmos we can also realise that all aspects of our existence from the minutiae of life to the grand narrative of humanity can all come together as a coherent whole with Jesus.

Our calling comes from a king who knows who you are and knows your strengths and weaknesses. We can choose to become more wise by meditating on the fact that God has chosen us. We here are called to be TVC to be part of King Jesus’ ongoing transformation of Woolwich, of London, of this world.

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Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.

He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. - Mark 3:4-5

This amazing story of an unusual miracle service, bringing hope and healing to a man with a ‘withered’ hand says so much about Jesus the radical and courageous rabbi. His miracle ministry to the hurting and broken, acceptance of those rejected and evident relationship with the Father was truly remarkable and groundbreaking. Yet in other respects He was also orthodox, engaging fully in the Hebrew Scriptures, synagogue services, annual feasts and customs of the Jewish people.

His love and compassion for the hurting and courage to heal despite extreme opposition reveals a man on a mission. Jesus knew His calling, ‘to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives..’

At the same time this story in Mark’s Gospel also says much about the people who were opposing Him, the Pharisees.

Although they occupied a place of prominent spiritual leadership, the ministry of Jesus revealed a darker, more sinister side to the motivations of envy and jealousy that fuelled these religious leaders. Their thoughts and actions were of course extreme and seem distant to us, yet we can ask questions that may help us avoid missing Jesus and His works in our own time and context.

What is fuelling my spiritual journey?

Is it a love for God? Fear? A desire for acceptance or approval? Routine?

How can I make sure I don’t make the mistake of missing seeing Jesus at work?

How can I demonstrate the courage that Jesus did, reaching out to bring healing to others despite opposition and criticism?

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Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralysed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

- Mark 2: 8-13

Four men carried their paralysed friend to Jesus so that Jesus could heal their friend. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralysed man “Son, your sins are forgiven”. This is not what the four friends had expected, not what the paralysed man wanted. Yet, that is what he needed. That is what we all need.

We often equate sin with emotions/behaviours that aren’t nice or downright bad, like pride, jealousy, stealing dan murder. But sin goes much deeper. In Ezekiel 16, the author compared sin with prostitution.

In Jeremiah 2: 13 God said of his people: “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”

Sin is our soul’s desire to abandon God and rely on ourselves. That is why it requires Jesus’ life for us to be forgiven.

Which one is easier? For Jesus to heal, it doesn’t cost him. But for Jesus to forgive. He needs to give his whole life. When he says, your sins are forgiven, he is essentially saying, I love you so much that I’m willing to give up my life for you.

“Replacing “what if ” with “even if ” in our mental vocabulary is one of the most liberating exchanges we can ever make. We trade our irrational fears of an uncertain future for the loving assurance of an unchanging God.

We see that even if the very worst happens, God will carry us. He will still be good. And he will never leave us.” – Scars that have shaped me