Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 8, 2024
Luke 5:17-26
17 One day when Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and legal experts were sitting nearby. They had come from every village in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. Now the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal. 18 Some men were bringing a man who was paralyzed, lying on a cot. They wanted to carry him in and place him before Jesus, 19 but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they took him up on the roof and lowered him—cot and all—through the roof tiles into the crowded room in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The legal experts and Pharisees began to mutter among themselves, “Who is this who insults God? Only God can forgive sins!” 22 Jesus recognized what they were discussing and responded, “Why do you fill your minds with these questions? 23 Which is easier—to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But so that you will know that the Human One has authority on the earth to forgive sins” —Jesus now spoke to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, get up, take your cot, and go home.” 25 Right away, the man stood before them, picked up his cot, and went home, praising God. 26 All the people were beside themselves with wonder. Filled with awe, they glorified God, saying, “We’ve seen unimaginable things today.”
Good Morning! God blesses those who are faithful.
This story is fascinating to me. We read about some men bringing a paralyzed man to Jesus. We don’t know if he asked to be brought, nor do we know the relationship among the men who brought him. I would assume they were friends to go to such an effort. If they were hired men, they would likely have given up when they were unable to push through the crowds. These men made a significant effort by climbing on the roof, cutting out an opening, and lowering him down to Jesus.
Not only must they have been good friends, but they also must have exhibited great faith. It wasn’t a simple plan to bring their friend because he might be healed, but they believed that he would be healed. They had the kind of faith that moved mountains or, in this case, roofs. Of course, Jesus healed their friend, and he also had a great teaching moment.
All those with open hearts and open eyes believed what they saw, while those with hardened hearts and closed eyes were too worried about who Jesus was and his audacious claims of being the Son of Man.
Jesus calls us to believe in the one whom God sent. All who believe will be blessed abundantly.
John 6:29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
Faithful God, Thank you for creating us. Faith is all that is needed. Help us grow into the mature faith for which you prepare us. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Jesus comes to save us!
Believe and be blessed! Pastor Liz
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