OUR FAITH IS PROVED BY OUR ACTIONS
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
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Jesus is teaching in a crowded house when four men bring a paralyzed friend. They are desperate and tear open the roof to lower their friend down to Jesus. Not only does Jesus heal their friend but Jesus also forgives his sins.
I have always been struck in this story by the faith of the four friends. The text says, “Seeing their faith.” Jesus did not perform the miracle based solely on the faith of the paralyzed man but on the faith of the friends who brought him to Jesus.
It was not an easy task to bring their friend to Jesus. They had to carry him a long way. When they couldn’t get into the house they when on the rood and tore through the roof to lower him on his mat in front of Jesus.
They proved their faith by their actions. They wanted their friend to be made whole. They believed Jesus could do what no doctor had been able to do. They believed Jesus could restore life to that which was dead. Muscles that had not functioned for years were about to work again because four men brought their friend to Jesus.
I am interested also that Jesus’ first act was not to restore physical wholeness but spiritual forgiveness. Jesus recognized the greatest need of humanity is not physical health. Our physical bodies will eventually die. Everyone Jesus healed while He was on earth eventually died. The real need of humanity is for eternal life given to those who trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
Jesus knew this paralyzed man had faith in Jesus as his Lord. That faith was the basis of Jesus releasing grace into his life. Then, to prove to the religious leaders He had the power to release grace Jesus brings physical healing to the man.
Is there someone in your world that needs to borrow your faith to get them to Jesus? Maybe they have little faith but if you are willing to work with them your faith can trigger their faith and they can discover the forgiveness and healing available through Jesus.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit open my eyes to those around me that are paralyzed by sin. Help me release my faith to trigger their faith. Help me to be a conduit for Your work in the lives of others.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”