Today's Scripture
Surrounded By Prayer Luke 5:17-26
17 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; 19 but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” 25 Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God.
RJ's Devotion
What Does the Passage Say?
V. 17-19 While Jesus was teaching, four friends brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. They couldn’t find a way in, so went up to the roof and lowered the friend down to Jesus.
V. 20-25 Jesus sees their faith and forgives their sins. But he also commands the paralyzed men to stand up and walk, which amazed all the people.
What Does the passage Mean to Me/Us?
I always imagine what it would look like. Jesus must have been surrounded by people, and all of the people’s attention should have been focused on Jesus. However, slowly a disturbance among the crowd is happening, because of the debris falling down from the roof. And soon the roof opening up, and there is a stretcher being lowered.
It is interesting to see how the Bible says, “When he saw their faith,” Jesus forgives their sins and heals the paralytic man.
It was the faith of the friends, who cared for the paralytic man.
Who not only prayed for him, but carried him to Jesus, saw the need to go up to the roof, open it up, and lower their friend down to the crowd.
Faith does express through actions.
Prayer
Lord, let our faith be shown through our actions. Our faith, believing that you are our Lord and savior. Let our faith shine in this world today. In Christ Name, we pray, AMEN.
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