Faithful Followers

From Luke 5:

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts ?Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

This passage of Scripture from Luke contains several important teachings. We must never forget that it is the “power of the Lord” that is “present to heal”. If a mortal man refers to himself as a “healer”, run quickly in the opposite direction. Yes, God can use mortal man to pray for the sick so "they shall recover". However, the power always is that of the Holy Spirit indwelling in the believer. We are inadequate and incapable when apart from Him.

I am touched by the actions and faith of the companions of this ill man. First, they demonstrate faith in a Healing God. As they watched the paralyzed man in his suffering, they sought to bring him before the Lord. Nothing is more important for those of us who are ill than for our family and friends to pray for us.

And as this man’s friends attempted to physically bring him before the Lord, they encountered obstacles. Many times before we experience a miracle or touch from the Father, Satan will throw roadblocks in our paths (or in the paths of those who are attempting to pray or support us). It is vital to notice that this group of family and friends of this man did not stop in their pursuit to take the paralyzed man to see Jesus just because of the crowd standing in their way. Imagine carrying a paralyzed man to the roof and making an opening in the roof to lower him through so that he could arrive at the feet of Jesus. Such is the perseverance we must exemplify when chasing after the Father.

Their efforts exemplify several characteristics that we must adhere to when we are seeking to assist a loved one with receiving his or her healing.

1. Faith.
This Scripture reports that Jesus “saw their faith”. Praying for a sick loved one is no easy assignment. We must be constantly in prayer, seeking His Word, asking Him to increase our faith and to decrease our doubts.
2. Faith Into Action.
This band of supporters of the paralyzed man could have chosen to remain at home and pray for their loved one. However, they put their faith into action – not always an easy assignment. They loaded up the crippled man and began their journey to take him to the feet of their Savior.
3. Don’t Be Detoured by Distractions.
A large crowd enveloped the group and crippled their efforts to bring him to Jesus. Easily, they could have been detoured and given up on their attempts. Yet, they fiercely pursued the opportunity to be in the presence of the Savior with their loved one.

As His faithful followers, we must never become lax with regard to prayer, assisting the sick or oppressed, and studying His Word. When God calls upon us to serve as intercessors for one of his hurting children, we must be prepared to answer His call.