What Jesus Did! 'The Help of Friends' — Luke 5:17-20

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

One day Jesus was teaching the people. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there too. They had come from every town in Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. The Lord (God) was giving Jesus the power to heal people. There was a man that was paralyzed (crippled). Some men carried him on a mat. The men tried to bring him and put him down before Jesus. But there were so many people that the men could not find a way to Jesus. So the men went up on the roof and lowered the crippled man down through a hole in the ceiling. They lowered the mat {into the room} so that the crippled man was lying before Jesus. Jesus saw that these men believed. Jesus said to the sick man, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
— Luke 5:17-20 NLT
Illustration of Luke 5:17-20 NLT — "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

Key Thought

Sometimes Jesus sees the faith of the person who needs to be healed and blesses them based upon their faith. Sometimes faith is not mentioned and doesn't appear to be an issue in his healing ministry. This time, however, Jesus sees the faith of the four friends lowering their paralyzed friend. Their love, concern, effort, and faith all cry out to Jesus for help, so Jesus helps the man. This is a "get your hands dirty digging through the roof" kind of faith. It is a faith that takes great risks because of love. I wonder how many of our friends need us to get our hands dirty taking risks to help them meet Jesus?

Today's Prayer

Father, I'm thinking about several friends who need to let go of their calloused indifference or to find answers to their questions and concerns so that they can come to you. Please bless me so that I can help them find their way home to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 24:45
  • 1 Peter 3:15-16
  • John 3:16-17

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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