What Jesus Did : Mark 2:3-5 - Faithful Friends

    by Phil Ware

    Faithful Friends - Mark 2:3-5

    Some people brought a paralyzed (crippled) man to Jesus. Four men were carrying the paralyzed man. But they could not bring the man to Jesus because the house was full of people. So the men went to the roof above Jesus and made a hole in the roof. Then they lowered the mat with the paralyzed man on it. Jesus saw that these men had much faith. So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Young man, your sins are forgiven." (ERV) Full Text

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    Key Thought

    Notice what is the basis of this miracle. "Seeing THEIR faith ..." The four men were the ones who helped make this miracle possible. It wasn't just their willingness to help the man, but it was their faith that if they got their friend to Jesus then the Lord would do great things for him. They were right. The question, however, is whether or not we will be so bold in our faith with our friends.


    Today's Prayer

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    Father, please strengthen my faith and use me to bring those who are broken, lost, and hurting to experience the gracious and powerful gift of your Son's love. In Jesus' name. Amen.


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    Today's Verses in Context


    A few days later, Jesus came back to Capernaum. The news spread that Jesus was back home. Many, many people gathered to hear Jesus speak. The house was full. There was no place to stand, not even outside the door. Jesus was teaching these people. Some people brought a paralyzed (crippled) man to Jesus. Four men were carrying the paralyzed man. But they could not bring the man to Jesus because the house was full of people. So the men went to the roof above Jesus and made a hole in the roof. Then they lowered the mat with the paralyzed man on it. Jesus saw that these men had much faith. So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Young man, your sins are forgiven." Some of the teachers of the law were sitting there. They saw what Jesus did, and they said to themselves, "Why does this man say things like that? He is saying things that are against God. Only God can forgive sins." Jesus knew that these teachers of the law were thinking those things about him. So Jesus said to them, "Why do you have these questions in your minds? The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. But how can I prove this to you? Maybe you are thinking it was easy for me to say to the crippled man, 'Your sins are forgiven.' {No one could see if it really happened.} But what if I say to the man, 'Stand up. Take your bed and walk'? Then you will be able to see if I really have this power or not." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, stand up. Take your mat and go home." The paralyzed man stood up. He took his mat and walked out of the room. All the people could see him. The people were amazed and praised God. They said, "This is the most amazing thing we have ever seen!"

    -- Mark 2:1-12 (ERV)

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