“But the one who looks into the perfect law,
the law of liberty, and perseveres,
being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts,
He will be blessed in His doing.”
James 1:25 (ESV)
Series: The Gift of Faith
Prices are “going through the roof!” I “hit the roof” when I heard the news. You should be thankful you have a “roof over your head!” Let’s celebrate and “raise the roof!” You probably have said or heard these expressions in response to a situation or event. While these references to the roof are figurative, there is an event in the Bible where a roof is literally raised for the purpose of bringing a friend to Jesus.
In Luke 5, we see the story unfold. Reports about Jesus healing the sick were spreading, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their infirmities. On this day, Jesus was teaching, and so many gathered together that there was no more room, even at the door. Luke 5:18 (ESV) records what happened next.
“And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus.”
We know little about these men in this story, but we can assume a few things based on the context of the passage. They were showing compassionate concern for their friend, who needed healing. They had heard the reports about Jesus healing the sick and knew where Jesus was teaching that day. And, most importantly, they had been given a measure of faith, leading them to take action on their belief Jesus could heal their friend.
Sometimes we have good intentions about putting our faith into action, but we are “thrown a curve ball” when we step out in faith. Do we let obstacles stop us dead in our tracks? Or do we move forward in faith and trust God will provide a way to accomplish our mission?
In Luke 5:19 (ESV), the men carrying their friend give us an example of how persevering through a roadblock leads to a miracle breakthrough:
“but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.”
Can you imagine the shock on the faces of the people in that room as the men lowered the bed from the roof? When we act on our faith, we don’t know how people will receive it. But that’s ok. Our job is to be the mat carriers, loving those in need and carrying them to Jesus. He is the One who heals, rescues, and saves. In fact, He is able to do abundantly more than we even ask. Jesus physically healed the paralyzed man, but something far greater took place because of their faith.
“And when He saw their faith, He said, Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Luke 5:20 (ESV)
“And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, We have seen extraordinary things today.” Luke 5:25-26 (ESV)
What a sight this must have been! These men received an incredible blessing because they stepped out in faith, letting nothing stand in the way of bringing their friend to Jesus. Let’s be doers of the faith God has blessed us with and “raise the roof” in celebration of His wonderful works!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Linda
Scripture References: James 1:25; Luke 5:18-26; Ephesians 3:20