Faith for Others
I am continuing my self-administered IV antibiotics. My home-care nurse came by today to draw blood and check my blood pressure. I also had a conversation with my case coordinator from Kaiser following up on my hospitalization and the discharge instructions.
I did get outside for a short time today. I have been experiencing greater fatigue than what I have been used to since being home. I am glad my infectious disease doctor warned me that this is a normal side effect of the antibiotics. I’m glad this regimen will only be for ten days instead of thirty.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven”….But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” Matthew 9:2,7
This miracle of Jesus is noteworthy for several reasons. We first of all see the tenacity of the paralyzed man’s friends (four in number according to other gospels) in getting him to Jesus. They were committed to get their friend to Jesus and would not let any obstacles stand in their way.
Jesus commends the faith of the friends and then responds to the need to the paralyzed man. We do see a centurion coming to Jesus in behalf of a servant and a mother beseeching Jesus in behalf of a demon possessed daughter. But this miracle contains a different dimension. Four friends who so believed that Jesus was the answer to their friends healing that they did everything they could to get the man in front of Jesus. And when they did, Jesus did not comment on the man’s faith but the faith of his friends.
Then we see that the first thing Jesus does is to say, “your sins are forgiven.” This order seems odd to the casual reader. The greatest and most obvious need is the man’s ability to walk. But Jesus’ view is different, it is deeper. Is it better to leave a man a cripple but for him to be spiritually whole? or is it better for him to walk and to live in spiritual darkness?
Jesus demonstrates His spiritual authority and His power to heal. As he heals the man, He addresses the Scribes (who are whispering to each other), “that you may know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins….” He says to the man, “rise pick up your bed and go home.”
I am thankful that faith for others is possible. In a day when we see an emphasis on personal faith as the key to receiving from God, I am glad that when an individual’s faith is weak or wavering they can be “carried” to Jesus by the faith of close friends. The faith of others still moves Christ to compassion and action.
We may think we know what our greatest need is, but Jesus is the one who has the greatest insight into our lives. This man’s friends were anticipating his healing, Jesus forgave His sins first. Spiritual wholeness is the priority for our lives. At some point we will all experience physical death due to something or from something. However, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17)
Once again with my recent hospitalization, I am personally thankful for the concept of Jesus healing because of the “faith of others.” I am here today, because one year ago, when I couldn’t pray, believe or respond, there were friends praying for me. Thank you to those who have prayed, are praying and will continue to pray for the Lord’s completed work in my life.