“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.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. - Luke 5:18-25

Loving Determination

There are friends and there are FRIENDS. These guys were FRIENDS. When you know the love and power of Jesus you are filled with loving determination to help others experience the love and power of Jesus. Motivated by love for their paralyzed friend, these men did not allow a few obstacles to stop them. They found a way to get their friend to Jesus. Praise the Lord for friends like these! Are you this kind of friend? Do you have these kind of friends? In what ways is God calling you to be a “roof crasher” this week? Today?

Faith that is Seen

There is faith and there is FAITH. These guys had FAITH. True faith in Jesus gets put into action…it’s demonstrated. It’s visible. It results in real change and real love through real efforts. It’s not that Jesus saw their faith in some spiritually perceptive way…like seeing into the secret recesses of their soul (though he can do that too.) It’s that he saw their faith in action, being demonstrated by tearing through a roof! How has your faith been “seen” this week? Where is faith requiring action in your life?

Above All…The Forgiveness of Sins

There is healing and there is HEALING. This guy got HEALED. As in…his sins were forgiven. Jesus is very clear where the emphasis gets put in His kingdom… “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” Answer? It’s much easier to heal physically than spiritually. The real problem, beyond physical paralysis is our spiritual paralysis because of sin. And that’s what Jesus is concerned with first and foremost. And that’s what the religious Pharisees in the story missed. Are you walking in the freedom of the forgiveness of sins as you look to your glorious future with Jesus?

Thanks be to God…Jesus come through the roof of this world not to be healed but to be our Healer.