Friday 13 October, 2017

2 A few days later, Jesus entered Capernaum again. The people heard that he had come home. 2 So many people gathered that there was no room left. There was not even room outside the door. And Jesus preached the word to them. 3 Four of those who came were carrying a man who could not walk. 4 But they could not get him close to Jesus because of the crowd. So they made a hole by digging through the roof above Jesus. Then they lowered the man through it on a mat. 5 Jesus saw their faith. So he said to the man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Some teachers of the law were sitting there. They were thinking, 7 “Why is this fellow talking like that? He’s saying a very evil thing! Only God can forgive sins!” 8 Right away Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Is it easier to say to this man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’? Or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So Jesus spoke to the man who could not walk. 11 “I tell you,” he said, “get up. Take your mat and go home.” 12 The man got up and took his mat. Then he walked away while everyone watched. All the people were amazed. They praised God and said, “We have never seen anything like this!”

There are times in our lives when we are one of two things, either the friend who brings another friend to Jesus, or the one who is on the bed before Jesus. So when the time comes am I ready to step up and hold up someone in my life to Jesus, when they are flat out and have neither the strength or faith for themselves?

It is no coincidence that God places us in community where we can love and support one another. This man’s friends could not be sure what Jesus would do, they just knew they had to get him to Jesus no matter what it took. How far would I go for the sake of bringing someone else to experience the presence of God? Likewise we all have times in our lives when we are the one down and out, needing someone else to do the hard yards and have the faith for us. This man received forgiveness and healing because of what his friends did and the faith they had. We cannot know what impact our actions will have on the life of another, we just need to get someone into the presence of God and let Him do the rest.
Father God, help me to have compassion and your heart towards those around me. Help me to have the courage to bring others to you no matter what the cost. Help me to love and support those that need your strength. Add my faith Father to others so that we might see lives transformed. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen

Written by Christine Knight