There are at least two ways that we could look at the theme I chose for this devotional today. (1) How determined/diligent am I to see Jesus during my day; and (2) How determined/diligent am I in letting go and letting God reign in my life so that others might see Jesus and believe on Him. No doubt God may give you even greater insight in this Scripture, but let’s at least explore these two!
BIBLE REFERENCE: Mark 2:2-5
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)
BIBLE TEXT: 2 Soon there were so many people crowded inside the house to hear him that there was no more room, even outside the door. While Jesus was preaching the word of God, 3 four men arrived, carrying a paralyzed man. 4 But when they realized that they couldn’t even get near him because of the crowd, they went up on top of the house and tore away the roof above Jesus’ head. And when they had broken through, they lowered the paralyzed man on a stretcher right down in front of him! 5 When Jesus saw the extent of their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are now forgiven.”
OBSERVATION: There are at least two ways that we could look at the theme I chose for this devotional today. (1) How determined/diligent am I to see Jesus during my day; and (2) How determined/diligent am I in letting go and letting God reign in my life so that others might see Jesus and believe on Him. No doubt God may give you even greater insight in this Scripture, but let’s at least explore these two!
APPLICATION: This is a very popular Bible story. In fact, I remember as a child seeing this miracle demonstrated on flannel-graph! However, as I meditated on the Word today, I was forced to consider all that took place in this story, and I would encourage you to also seek God and ask Him to truly speak intimately to you as you meditate on this. Think with me about my insights that I believe God got my attention on:
-> Seeing Jesus in my day: The men who carried the lame man knew that only Jesus could heal their friend, based on the miracles they had already heard about Him. First of all, we could see great faith here because, just as we see today, there are many who still can’t walk. Did they never get close enough to Jesus, or did He decide not to heal them? But for these men, there is no indication that anything negative ever crossed their minds, for they had a friend who needed Jesus and they were determined to get him in the presence of the great Healer. How are we doing in our faith? Anywhere close to what the men in our story showed? Do we just give up when it seems like doctors are hopeless with our diseases and our ailments? Are we quick to judge when we see loved ones who experienced healing or a touch from God, or do we praise God with them over the miraculous touch of the Master? Do we automatically fall back to things like ‘good luck’; ‘happen-chance’; or just ‘great doctors’ when we see someone overcome pain and suffering, or are we the first to raise our hands in thanksgiving to the God who can? Dear friends, we still serve the same awesome God who can still touch broken hearts and still heal our diseases. Do we have the kind of faith that prompts us to seek out the Master Healer first?
-> Letting others see Jesus: Notice how Jesus decided to heal the bed-ridden man based on the faith demonstrated by he and his friends. What do you suppose our friends conclude about our faith? Do they see that we are confident in our faith? Is it something that they wish that they had, because of what they see in our life? Would you have dared tear a hole in the roof large enough to let a man and his bed down, because of the depth of your faith in the Great Healer inside the room below?
Friends, I believe that our words and our actions will reveal to others the extent of our faith. I trust that each reader has such a determination to see Jesus, and that you are so filled with faith, that you are in constant contact with Him throughout your day. As you are reenergized in your faith, those who are close to you will desire what you have and will grow to desire the King that you love and adore. Oh that our faith will be evident through our actions every day.
PRAYER: You saw the faith of the paralyzed man and his friends and you honored their steps of faith by healing the paralyzed man. Lord, I pray that You would touch our lives in such a way that our faith would be energized and that our pride will be set aside, for You alone are worthy of our praise and honor. It’s You in whom I believe, and I pray that my readers would would also acklnowledge their extreme faith in You. For Your praise only, I pray that You might be recognized and glorified in and through us. May unbelievers witness our faith and be so reminded of You that their hearts will be stirred to surrender to You precious Lord. AMEN!