Another Story of Faith
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Another remarkable faith story was the story of the four friends of the paralytic who dug a hole through the roof the house where Jesus was living, and lowered their friend through the hole. Lets read it in Mark 2:1-5.
When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them,four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
( Mark 2:1-5 NLT )
Although Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He grew up in Nazareth (hence the name “Jesus of Nazareth”). But during His ministry in Galilee, He operated from Capernaum, where He is believed to have performed many of His miracles. Capernaum became His home, and Bible refers to it as “Jesus’ own city” (Matthew 9:1).
In the text above, Jesus had returned to Capernaum, and word spread that He was “back home”. Soon, the place was filled to the extent that there was no room, even outside the door! Then four friends arrived with a friend on a mat. Even humans who are walking on two legs could not find room, so you can imagine someone being carried on a mat! But these four believed that if only they could get to Jesus, their friend would get his healing, and did one of the craziest things ever! At the risk of making Jesus angry for desecrating His home, they dug a hole through the roof. In my opinion, this is not a small hole; especially seeing that they lowered the paralytic through the hole on his mat! I immediately started thinking about the hole, how it was fixed, who fixed it, and at whose cost! But with Jesus, He rather recognized faith, immediately; and said to the paralytic,
“My child, your sins are forgiven.”
Reading further, the verses 6 to 11 recorded some teachers of religious law (“and Pharisees” in other accounts) who observed what happened felt Jesus had blasphemed by His utterance. But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, told them He had authority to forgive sins. He then told the paralytic,
“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
The man got his healing (vv. 12)!
Faith is again at play here. I just noticed that in the cases considered in the past few days, the people were healed not by their own faith, but rather by the faith of others! Bible is silent on their own faith. This tells me how important it is for us to intercede on behalf of others, even if their own faith is failing. It also tells me that, Jesus recognizes faith, even in the midst of doubting and questioning Pharisees (Luke 5:21). Even faith as small as a mustard seed!
This is another remarkable story of faith; but more importantly, I need some real good men and women of faith around me!
I think you do too!
MEMORY VERSE
“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
( Mark 2:5 )
QUESTIONS
- Do you have faith even in the midst of questions and doubt?
- Do your friends have faith too? Do you know that their faith will count when yours is depleted?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help me
not only to have faith,
but also have friends
who have faith too.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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