Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.” Matthew 9.2, 6
Let me ask you a question, if Jesus were to look at you in the eye and see through into your heart right now, what will He see? Doubt? Fears? Self-condemnation? Worries? Unforgiveness? Unbelief? Will he ever see any faith? Jesus looks for faith and anywhere he sees faith, he swings to action. Some guys brought their problem to Jesus – their problem was a paralyzed friend of theirs. They literally brought the guy into where Jesus was. When they entered, Jesus immediately spot something – it was not their problems that Jesus spotted, it was their faith. The problem had become so little as a result of their unflinching belief in the power of God to cure their friend.
What was the faith Jesus saw? They brought the paralyzed guy on a mat. The man’s case was so bad that it was beyond any medical help. It was a permanent damage. They had no reason to make any more effort, but when they heard that Jesus was around, hope came alive and Faith arose within them. Something within them told them that the problem was nothing before God and they simply believed. They overcame doubts and unbelief, and every hesitation. They left all of their busy duties and schedule, and arranged among themselves to do what was the stupid thing to do – they carried the man on the mat and brought him to Jesus for healing and restoration.
Getting to Jesus was no easy ride for them. What was their faith that Jesus saw? Jesus saw how they refused to be discouraged by all obstacles. They went through the door, but it was completely blocked by crowd. They tried the windows, but it was jam packed. Yet none of those could stop or discourage them. What else would they do? Why would they not just stop trying and give up? Going back home with the guy paralyzed was not an option for them. When faith is at work, no other option is visible except going forward to Jesus. They chose to create way even where there was obviously no way. They were made up in their minds. They went through the roof when the door was inaccessible, totally blocked. Jesus saw them pulling through the crowd, he saw them going the extra mile without giving up. He saw them removing the roofs and doing everything possible against all odds to get the paralyzed man to Him at all costs. He saw their faith.
Let him see your faith today, friend! Jesus is watching, how much effort have you made? Why are you giving up so soon? No, faith does not give up. The faith that will see results is a persevering faith. You have to make up your mind and be ready to risk that which is humanly stupid to do. Keep going and pushing, you are just a step away to the Lord. He will act when He sees your faith! He will never fail!
Action Steps
- Spend some time to meditate on the Scripture Matthew 9:2-6
- Make up your mind never to give up on having an Encounter with Jesus
- Ask God for help in every area of your life where you are bound
- Intercede for someone today, especially people you have given up on before
- Be of help to someone today who need them most
