This article was written by my good friend Jim Hardie for Roots by the River magazine in 1973.
In Luke 5:16-26, a wonderful account is given how people came from all over the area to hear Jesus speak. Four men heard that Jesus was speaking nearby. They had a friend who was paralyzed. They believed that Jesus could heal him, so they made a stretcher and carried their friend to where Jesus was speaking, but they couldn’t get anywhere near Him due to the great crowd gathered around the building. They could have been discouraged, but instead they found their way to the roof of the building. They made a hole in the roof and lowered their sick friend right at the feet of Jesus.
Jesus looked up, and when He saw their faith, their anticipation, He did more than they expected. He saw the man with a much bigger need than just physical healing. He said to the man at His feet, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
Well, the religious leaders present really jumped on that one. “Aha! He speaks blasphemy; only God can forgive sins.”
Jesus said, “Which is the easier to say, your sins are forgiven, or rise, take up your bed and walk?” Then Jesus told the man to do just that and to go on home. The man was healed—both ways—and he went home glorifying God for what had happened to him this day because four of his friends cared enough to take him to Jesus.
Do we have friends that need the wonderful healing that Jesus gives? Do we care enough to bring them to Him in believing prayer that He can and will meet their need? “Jesus looked up and saw their faith and said, Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Jesus did “exceeding abundantly” more than what those four fellows had counted on for their friend. He does this for us also. Pray for your friends, your family, in faith believing, and watch the miracle unfold in God’s own timing.
Jim Hardie
In Luke 5:16-26, a wonderful account is given how people came from all over the area to hear Jesus speak. Four men heard that Jesus was speaking nearby. They had a friend who was paralyzed. They believed that Jesus could heal him, so they made a stretcher and carried their friend to where Jesus was speaking, but they couldn’t get anywhere near Him due to the great crowd gathered around the building. They could have been discouraged, but instead they found their way to the roof of the building. They made a hole in the roof and lowered their sick friend right at the feet of Jesus.
Jesus looked up, and when He saw their faith, their anticipation, He did more than they expected. He saw the man with a much bigger need than just physical healing. He said to the man at His feet, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
Well, the religious leaders present really jumped on that one. “Aha! He speaks blasphemy; only God can forgive sins.”
Jesus said, “Which is the easier to say, your sins are forgiven, or rise, take up your bed and walk?” Then Jesus told the man to do just that and to go on home. The man was healed—both ways—and he went home glorifying God for what had happened to him this day because four of his friends cared enough to take him to Jesus.
Do we have friends that need the wonderful healing that Jesus gives? Do we care enough to bring them to Him in believing prayer that He can and will meet their need? “Jesus looked up and saw their faith and said, Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Jesus did “exceeding abundantly” more than what those four fellows had counted on for their friend. He does this for us also. Pray for your friends, your family, in faith believing, and watch the miracle unfold in God’s own timing.
Jim Hardie
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