Skepticism or Faith?

In “Skepticism or Faith?” the scribes doubted while others believed. Choose to trust Jesus fully and experience the power of unwavering faith.

“Jesus … said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ But some of the scribes were … thinking it over in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?’”—Mark 2:5–7 NASB

Some scribes joined a crowd packed into a house in Capernaum. All had come to hear Jesus, some interested in His teachings and some merely curious. Suddenly, four men lowered a paralytic through the roof. Moved by their faith, Jesus told the paralytic that his sins were forgiven.

This troubled the scribes. Without bothering to seek God or show compassion for the paralytic, they pronounced judgment. They would not waver from their traditions and narrow interpretation of the Law. Filled with unbelief, they never considered the possibility that Jesus was acting in accord with God’s will or that there was something they could learn from Him.

Many people today are like these scribes. They may profess faith in God, go to church, and even seek to follow Jesus in their own way, yet they have a tough time believing. Instead, they think like the world and place limits on God. They allow doubts and questions to dominate their hearts and minds.

Yet God still performs miracles and does what seems impossible. He responds to people who live by faith, are willing to put aside traditions and not limit Him, and reach out to Jesus for His miraculous touch.

Don’t allow doubts and questions to cripple you or keep you from experiencing God’s power. Commit your needs to Jesus, and come to Him in simple faith. Know that all things are possible for those who believe.

Reflection Question: Are there areas where doubt is keeping you from fully trusting God?