Day 88
Today’s reading: Mark 2:1-28
Faith At All Cost
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Faith At All Cost 〰️
Reflections
Once again, Jesus is teaching us about salvation. At its core, true faith produces one primary and most important result: salvation. This kind of faith is a stubborn, unshakable belief that no one else can save you except Jesus—a faith that recognizes God as your only hope. It is this unwavering trust that secures our salvation and opens the door to healing and miracles. Such faith is not passive; it shows in our actions. When we believe we have other options, we don’t truly pour ourselves out in desperate pursuit of God, whether consciously or unconsciously. But someone who knows there is no other way is willing to do whatever it takes, even breaking through a roof, just to encounter Him.
Jesus spent much of His ministry redefining traditional religious concepts. In His time, salvation was often seen as a reward for piety or moral excellence. That’s why the Pharisees were so offended when Jesus dined with sinners or when His disciples didn’t fast like those of other religious teachers. They couldn’t comprehend a Messiah who wasn’t impressed by religious performance. But Jesus turned their expectations upside down. He taught that salvation is not earned by effort—it is received by faith. Spiritual practices like fasting and moral behavior are not the means to salvation; rather, they are ways we deepen our fellowship with God. Which is why Jesus explained that His disciples did not need to fast because God was already with them—in His very person. They had direct access to Him. In essence, Jesus revealed that the true purpose of fasting is not to prove our spirituality, but to set aside undistracted time with God.
Study Questions
Why did Jesus tell the paralytic man that his sins were forgiven?
What is fasting, and what is its true purpose?
In what context did Jesus refer to Himself as “the Son of Man,” and what significance does it hold?
How far are you willing to go to demonstrate your faith in Jesus? Is your faith bold and visible, or quiet and passive? What would it look like for your faith to be seen in action?
