Real healing
Jesus got into the boat and went back across the lake to his own town, where some people brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a bed. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the paralysed man, ‘Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven.’ (verses 1,2)
Read Matthew 9:1-8
It takes a lot of faith to entrust yourself totally to someone else. There are times when we have to do this, but we often have some doubt in the back of our mind. We may not be quite sure that the person we’re going to really has the answers. This is why we sometimes change our doctor or adviser. We have the nagging thought that there might be someone else who can give us better help or advice.
Some people brought a paralysed man to Jesus so that Jesus would heal him. What was remarkable was that they came with the firm belief that Jesus would heal their friend. There was no doubt in their minds whatsoever. Jesus was impressed by their faith, and he did what no other healer had ever done or had dared to do before. As the Son of God he addressed the real problem before him and, in healing the man, forgave his sin. These people had come to God, and God had given as only he can give.
Isn’t it amazing how the power of God can flow through you when you trust in him? You have no need to doubt his ability to answer any of your prayers. He even has power over sin.
Dear Jesus, increase my faith. Help me to trust you more than anything else. Amen.
Written by Len Tscharke from “Refreshment for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers, 2003)
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