A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Chris Musgrove of Future Now)
Scripture for the Day – November 4, 2019
Luke 5:18-25: Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 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. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
I want you to notice in verse 20 of Luke 15 when Jesus saw their faith. Well, what did Jesus see? He saw some men tear off part of the roof to be able to lower their paralyzed friend down in front of Him. That’s what Jesus saw, people acting on their faith.
James 2:17 says, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
I don’t know about you but that’s the kind of friends I want hanging around me. Someone who will get me to Jesus no matter what it takes. People who put action to their faith.
Can you imagine that happening at your church? Some guys show up with their sick friend on a stretcher. There is a healing service going on and the church is so filled with people they can’t get their sick friend in the door for prayer. So they find a ladder outside the church and carry their sick friend to the roof. They begin tearing off just enough of the roof to get their friend in the healing service. In these modern times we would call those crazy friends. But remember, it was their faith that Jesus saw. Jesus said many times in the Word of God that your faith has made you whole or be it done to you according to your faith. If you want to go home healed and praising God like it says in verse 25, you may need some crazy faith friends too.
Let’s get some crazy faith friends. Even more importantly, let’s be one of those crazy friends!
