“Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.”
Luke 5:18-19
Our pastor taught from Luke 5:17-26 yesterday. God’s Word stirred my heart on so many levels through this familiar passage brought to me in a fresh way yesterday. His Word is alive and is moving me.
In Luke 5, friends of the paralyzed man were carrying him to Jesus on his mat. When they could not get in the door of the house where Jesus was teaching due to the crowds, these determined men, without hesitation, went up on the roof, cut a hole in the roof and lowered the man down until he was “right in front of Jesus” (v. 19).
I am so thankful to have precious friends who carry me to Jesus. They point me to Him, whether by a bold or quiet example of Christ lived out in their lives, by praying for me or by literally giving me His written Word at the right moment. When I am discouraged and struggling, “paralyzed” so to speak, they come alongside me, carry me and put me right in front of Jesus.
As I listened to my pastor teach, tears welled up in my eyes. “I’m going to the roof,” I thought. I began praying for “paralyzed” friends. A friend whose cancer has returned and has spread to her lungs and her liver. A friend who is in perhaps her darkest hour. Friends whose children are seriously ill. A friend who is traveling to another state this week for medical testing and treatment. Friends whose parents are gravely ill. A friend who has been held captive by depression. A friend whose heart is breaking.
Precious friends. Paralyzed friends.
Carrying and putting them right in front of Jesus, our Healer, our Redeemer, our Shepherd. Climbing to the roof in prayer. Cutting a hole in that roof with God’s sword, His Word. Exercising faith muscles to lower them down and place them right in front of Jesus. “…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:2
Jesus, our Great Physician, please touch and heal these lives and bodies. Drench them in Your grace and mercy, allow them to pick up their mats and go forth praising You. Be glorified in and through lives by the remarkable things You do today. Touch, heal, restore, make whole. We love you. Amen.
“Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, ‘We have seen remarkable things today.’”
Luke 5:26
Danielle says
Oh, Sharon. AMEN!! What so gets me about that story, too is that amount of their faith. Knowing if they can just get him to Jesus all would be well. I know your faith is just as strong.
May God hear your heart on behalf of your friends, see your faith, and move in mighty and miraculous ways!