What is the Gospel? Part 3

Have you ever felt paralyzed?  Stuck?  Unable to move? Have you ever been immobile without the help of others?  It can be scary.  Paralysis can happen in our minds as well as our bodies.  We can get paralyzed with fear, regret, shame, self-loathing.  We can get paralyzed in abuse and addiction.  Sometimes, we just don't know what to do or to say. We get paralyzed by challenges or obstacles that threaten our security.  We get paralyzed in ignorance and prejudices too embedded to remove. We don't know how to change our circumstances or situation as much as we'd like to see that happen.  Sometimes we get content and comfortable in our paralysis.  We learn to accept and adapt to a reality we don't like.  Our relationships can sometimes prevent us from taking necessary risks, standing up, getting out, moving ahead, and experiencing the maturity that comes from new movement.  Poverty can be a kind of social/economic paralysis.
 Jesus was teaching in the synagogue when a young man came in who was possessed by an unclean spirit.  In other words, this was a Jew who was unwelcome in the synagogue because of immoral behavior.  Maybe he had non-Jewish associates or friends.  Maybe he was a thief or had a chronic illness. Maybe he did not pray enough or dress appropriately.  Maybe he was struggling with mental illness.  This man was under the influence of a power that harmed him. A power exists that prevents people from doing what is good or right.  Call it evil or sin or malace or illness. We can be overwhelmed by dark things.  He entered the synagogue and confronted Jesus.  Jesus rebuked or cast out of spirit and amazed the crowd.  His teaching was new and authoritative.  That is, they recognized his words and actions had a powerful effect, a life-changing effect on the man's situation.  The result would be restoration to the community, the synagogue, the village, the family.  He would, in a sense, come home. 
Another time, Jesus was teaching in a house.  The house was so crowded there was no room for anyone and the door was blocked.  Just the four people carried a paralyzed man to the house.  When they saw that the door was blocked, they lifted the man to the roof, made a hole in the roof and lowered him to Jesus' feet.  When Jesus' saw their faith he said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."  The crowd included some religious leaders, Pharisees.  Their understanding is that God alone forgives sins. And that sin forgiveness has to do with temple sacrifice and appropriate prayers.  To offer forgiveness so casually was unprecedented, especially when sin was tied to affliction.  Clearly, this man's paralysis was connected to his sins. Had God paralyzed the man as a curse?  Did Jesus have the authority to lift a divine curse?  Certainly not! 
Jesus realizes what they're concerned about and says, "Is it easier to say to this man, son your sins are forgiven or son, take up your mat and walk?  But just so you know that the son of man has the power to forgive sins, I say to you, take up your mat and walk." And the man did  And the people were astounded. So, Jesus is good news in that he confronts the things that threaten to cast us out of family, community, and the kingdom of God.  Jesus casts out the thing that can prevent us from living a God-centered life.  Second, Jesus forgives.  How does forgiveness release people from paralysis?  Forgiveness frees us from the past, from what we've done or failed to do.  Forgiveness is a clean slate, a fresh start, a new beginning.  It is also a reminder that we are not only the person we were on our worst day.  We are more than our worst selves.
So, the good news is that God intends to cast out or remove that which distorts our true selves as covenant members of God's household.  In the Genesis creation story humankind is made in the image of God.  That image is a plurality of being that includes men, women, various races and tribes.  We are made in God's image means that some aspect of our selves is a reflection of the creator.  And the bible begins with God calling all that God made GOOD.  It is about time that people of the bible call a thing what it is:  What God has made is Good.  People are good.  Is there distortion, lies, paralysis, and unclean spirits? YES. Are we dirty?  YES. But, Jesus shows us another aspect of our character and condition:  GOODNESS. And Jesus comes to free people to image God's goodness in the world.
Jesus confronts the powers that oppose God's goodness.  This is GOOD News in a world where that opposition seems strong sometimes.  Where violence ruins lives, whole communities, nations.  Where hatred and prejudice separate people.  The nearness of God's rule means an end to the rule of violent, angry opposition to God that exists at every level of human experience.
But who gets to benefit from this good news? Israelite Men---the patriarchs?  Or is it good news only if it is good news for everyone?