Consider the re-telling of this tragic story was meant to serve. How often do you confess specific sin in your prayers? We often readily pray that God should forgive us our sin. Since we have not committed adultery, fornication or embezzled money, we often do not consider ourselves sinners like those other people out there - the Galileans and those in Siloam or victims of HIV/AIDS. The problem is that we have a shallow understanding of sin (see Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23) else, we will not condemn anyone else, but ourselves and will seek God's forgiveness. Note that the 'sin' of the fig tree was not murder or robbery but fruitlessness. How guilty are we of this? Sin results in death (vs. 3-5; cf. Romans 6:23). Praise God that his love for us makes him seek for our repentance (vs. 6-9; cf. Romans 5:8).
Jesus shoeed mercy to this woman who had been suffering for 18 years. Notice the reaction of the Synagogue ruler. The religious leaders were less concerned about her pitiable state. Their main concern was more with keeping the Sabbath day 'holy'. Jesus exposed their hypocrisy, and he often ours also.
How do you react when disaster befalls opponents of the Christian faith?
Pray for victims of disaster all over the world.
©Scripture Union Nigeria
REMAIN BLESSED!
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