SCRIPTURE:
“Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 5:18-20
OBSERVATION:
The paralyzed man’s friends were the kinds that many of us need. Ones that will carry us, in more ways than one. I imagine their faith convinced them that healing was on the way, as long as they got their friend closer to Jesus – regardless of what stood in the way. In this case a crowd and a thatched roof. Not only did they need to figure out how to get him up to the roof, they needed to carry him and then dig through the thatch and mud.
APPLICATION:
There was a time in my life where everything was going wrong. My faith remained, but it was truly difficult to see beyond the difficulties I was faced with. I’d often sit alone with my thoughts and at times would allow the negativity to get the better of me. There were four close friends I had that would check on me, sit with me and encourage me.
Dare I say that their faith would “carry” me when mine was dwindling.
These four friends would speak like into me. They would sit with me and would share their faith with me. We would go to church together and they would listen as I would process through things. All the while, they would do their best to get me closer to Jesus, because they knew He would do the healing, not them.
It was a season of growth that I know would not have been possible without God putting those four friends in my life. They are friends I still hold near and dear to my heart, remembering that time over a decade ago when they carried me when I had little to no strength left.
I must do my best to help get others closer to Jesus, just as my friends did many years ago.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have allowed the negativity of the world to get the better of me. Thank You Lord that You do the healing when we get closer to You. May I do my best to get closer to You, and help those around me to do the same, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
