'Give us a king like everyone else!' The Israelites had governed themselves in a more or less democratic and equal manner for centuries. The only ruler they had was God. But times had changed and now they wanted a king like the Gentiles had with all the glamour and power. Samuel is appalled; God is not surprised. People then and now are often eager to give up their freedom and put themselves under the yoke of people and political systems with tragic results. There are serious consequences to being governed like the Gentiles: political and economic oppression, warfare, and loss of freedom. Better to let God be your ruler. But the people won't listen and so they get what they ask for (as we so often do!). As we know from the history of Israel, the negative prediction came true - the consequence of being ruled by humans rather than God.

Jesus gives a dramatic demonstration of what God's rule means. Because of the faith and trust of the paralytic and his friend, Jesus is able to restore the man's health. To quiet the upset bystanders he assures them that God - and the Son of Man - has authority over the Sabbath, human sin, and every form of human affliction. There is nothing outside of His power and authority and God is able to restore every area of our lives. But we must first learn to trust the voice of God within us rather than the many loud and insistent voices of the world. Let there be no other 'king' over us than God.