April 10, 2025

LORD, HELP MY LIFE BE A BRIDGE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

Matthew 9:2-6 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

From the other gospel accounts of this story, we know there were four men who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. They carried him what was probably some distance, dug a hole in the ceiling when they couldn’t get inside the house, and then lowered their friend on his mat in front of Jesus.

These friends were determined. They must have had great faith that Jesus could help their friend. They were not distracted by problems or roadblocks; they were determined to get their friend into the presence of Jesus.

I love the phrase, “Seeing their faith.” It was not just the faith of the paralyzed man but the faith of his friends as well. We all need friends in our lives who have faith for our transformation. Friends that will carry us when we can’t carry ourselves. We also need to be that kind of friend to those God has put in our world. There are a lot of people who are spiritually paralyzed and need someone to carry them to Jesus.

It is also worth noting that the first miracle Jesus did for the man was to offer forgiveness of sins. I am confident the man and his friends came to Jesus to receive physical healing. But Jesus understood their most pressing need was spiritual transformation. 

To offer proof of His authority to forgive sins Jesus then speaks a miracle of physical healing. I believe that physical healings should help people have faith in the authority of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. 

Everyone Jesus healed in the Bible eventually died. We will all experience physical death—unless Jesus returns to earth before our physical death. Therefore, we should not fear physical death because we have been born again with spiritual life. We are new creations with an eternal home in heaven.

Jesus did not come simply to make us comfortable or physically healthy. Jesus came to earth to free us from the control and consequences of sin. We must recognize this is the primary work of Jesus today. He is still wanting to bring spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit show me how I can be a friend to bring someone to the Lord Jesus. Help my life to be a bridge. 

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”