PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 5:17-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20)
Did you notice whose faith Jesus responded to – “their faith”?
We find no mention of the paralyzed man’s faith.
Here the Lord responds to the faith of others on someone else’s behalf.
What an encouragement to me for those who may struggle with faith.
But also for those who struggle in faith for a loved one.
Imagine the friends tearing and ripping at the roof tiles.
See their determination, their love, their desperate faith for their friend.
Compare this to the aggressive prayers of a a believer for someone else.
The Lord uses our prayers for others to help them too!
Jesus loves this paralyzed man more than these friends do.
He sees his needy soul condition, and assures him of God’s forgiveness.
The friends wanted body healing, Jesus gave whole life healing.
The Lord hears our prayers for others, and goes beyond what we ask.
May this inspire and encourage us to pray with fervor for others!
PRAYER
Lord, there are people I have prayed for, that I am still waiting to see the results. But I trust that you are doing more than I ask and imagine. I can’t wait to see how you heal/help them!
Lord thank you for reminding us of the power of your community in faith, and answering our prayers when we pray for each other. Give us the drive like the paralyzed man’s companions had to help him!
“When Jesus saw their faith,” – that was the trigger – they believed Jesus could heal their paralyzed friend and they didn’t let all the dignitaries – the teachers of the law and Pharisees, that were crowded around Jesus deter them. Really, they dropped their friend in from above – instead of trying to get the crowd t make room – which they wouldn’t because he was in their opinion paralyzed as punishment for sin. Jesus saw faith and he healed the man by first reassuring him that his sins are forgiven. Being paralyzed he was prevented from going to the temple – he was ostracized – but not by Jesus. Can people see that I faith? How can I show it? By my love for others – not judging them but making room for them in my life?
The people were hungry to hear, to see Jesus do marvelous things. The religious leaders were also there to witness, to trap Jesus. Just to come to look and see does not bring healing but faithful expectation does. Bring it all to the Lord in prayer. He answers if we but bring it all to Him and lay it down before Him. He is the answer for total healing of we but believe.The paralyzed man did as well as His friends. Pray for one another. One anothering.
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.