Who would open up a roof for you? Who would be so dramatic and do crazy stuff like climb a roof, first of all, then make a hole in it and lower you down right above Jesus…..because they wanted to see you well?
Who, when they heard that there was a healer, would instantly RUN to get you because they believed it for you?
Who would knock on your door, carry you to the house where He was, and then proceed to hoist you up ON A ROOF and then lower you down with ropes? Oh my Lord!!!!
Who has a friend like that? One that has tasted and seen the glory of God, one that is FULL of Faith and believes in healing and freedom for you… maybe even more than you do? Who’s that one person that stays near to the heart of God? The one that daily reads their Bible, prays, and intercedes for others. The one that keeps the main things, the main things, serves their family and community, and is Faithful to show up even when they don’t want to?
I believe we are all in need of a friend like this. When I think about this story, I’m struck by the love these friends had for their hurting bestie. My eyes fill with tears over the love that spurred them on to radical action. The moment they saw there might be a way for their friend to be healed, they ran!
I want to be the friend who runs. I want to have close relationships that are maked by love, bold faith, and radical action. I want to be the friend that carries my sister or brother on a stretcher straight to Jesus. I don’t want to be distracted by my phone, to-do’s, or fear of man. I want to have faith and boldness that rips the roof off in the name of healing for a loved one. I want to see miracles!
Have you ever been so desperate and urgent to break into a crowded place because they had something you or a friend really needed? A few thoughts…….
- Do we have a close relationship with Jesus of Nazareth?
- Have we seen Him do miracles? In the Bible and in real life?
- Do we have close friendships that allow us to be known and know the deepest desires and needs of friends’ hearts?
- Are we interceding for our friends and having FAITH to believe in their healing? Are we lifting their requests up (or lowering them down) to Jesus for healing?
- Are we willing to be interrupted and stop our day for a friend in need?
- How far would you go to see a friend get healed?
- Who would carry you on a stretcher to Jesus? Does anyone know your deepest need or the place you need a miracle the most? Would you let someone carry you to Jesus for a miracle? Why or why not?
Luke 5: 17-39 NIV Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 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. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”