In our Gospel reading from Luke 5:17-26 we read the story of friends who have great faith! They did whatever they could to get a paralyzed friend to Jesus so he could be healed. They weren't going to let a sermon stop them from approaching Jesus! They weren't going to let the crowds stop them either. They took their friend up to the roof and lowered him to get him to Jesus! They knew if they could get their paralyzed friend into Jesus presence, Jesus could heal him.
I don't know about you, but I want friends like that! I want friends willing to do anything to make sure that I get into Jesus presence. I want friends that are willing to risk looking foolish and who would go to such incredible lengths for me! I want to be the kind of friend who is willing to do that too!
Over the weekend I had some Jehovah's Witnesses come to my house. I want to have the kind of faith they do. No, I don't want their beliefs, but I want to believe in mine as strongly as they believe in theirs. They had no idea who I was, what I thought, what I might say or do at their visit. They risked rejection and who knows what else they may be met with in order to bring their beliefs to me. If they are so willing, yet we so often aren't. If they are so willing to reach out to strangers, why aren't we so willing to do this for our loved ones, our family and friends?
We are afraid of looking foolish, we are afraid of the risks, and because we don't act, we miss out on seeing miracles. These men were able to help a friend receive an incredible gift and were able to be part of a wonderful miracle.
Jesus didn't immediately heal this man's physical ailments, he said "because of your faith, your sins are forgiven." Of course this caused a stir among the Pharisees and the scribes. Only God can forgive sins!
Jesus always knows what's in our hearts and He know the scribes and Pharisees were out to try to take him down. To prove himself He asked if it was easier to forgive someone's sins or heal them? He told the paralyzed man to "rise, pick up your stretcher and go home." Which, the man did, of course!
Our spiritual health is so much more important than our physical health. If we are spiritually sick, nothing else in this world matters. Jesus showed the true power and authority God gave him by forgiving the paralyzed man's sins first. For added good measure he healed his physical ailments as well.
Do you have friends that would do anything to make sure you knew Jesus? Would you do anything to bring your friends to know Him? Allow Him to work in you and heal you of any sins and spiritual ailments you suffer. He is The Healer and The Great Physician and has the power to heal any ailments you have...bring them to Him.
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