Where a paralyzed man’s friends, unable to reach Jesus through the large crowd, climbed onto the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching and lowered the man down through an opening directly in front of Jesus, essentially placing him “at the feet of Jesus” to seek healing; highlighting the great lengths his friends went to get him to Jesus due to their strong faith.
Key points about the story:
- The Gospel source: This story is found in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2:1-12.
- The act of faith: The friends’ decision to tear open the roof to reach Jesus demonstrates their deep belief in His ability to heal.
- Jesus’ response: Upon seeing their faith, Jesus forgives the man’s sins and then heals him, allowing him to walk.
What are you ‘faithing’ for? Trust and believe.
In Christianity, the doctrine of forgiveness through Christ states that God has forgiven Christians for their sins and no longer holds them accountable:
- Forgiveness is a gift: God offers forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ as a gracious gift.
- Forgiveness is an act of love: Forgiveness is an act of mercy, grace, and love.
- Forgiveness is available to all: Jesus’ death on the cross provided forgiveness for the sins of the entire world.
- Forgiveness is a choice: It’s up to the individual to receive forgiveness.
- Forgiveness is a way to live: Forgiveness is a way to begin a relationship with God and to live with others.
To receive forgiveness, one can:
- Place faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior
- Ask God to forgive through Jesus
- Believe that Jesus died to pay for forgiveness
- Trust in Jesus Christ
The Bible has many passages that discuss forgiveness, including:
- Acts 2:38 Peter says, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”.
- Matthew 6:9–15 The prayer includes “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”.
DESTINY ENCOUNTER!
The JOY of CHRISTMAS = the JOY of FORGIVENESS! The gentleman described above was bedridden, paralyzed and had probably defied all treatments until his friends brought him to JESUS. Being OMNISCIENT, He spoke directly to the source of the situation as captioned in the image above, and he was healed.
Jesus Heals a Man Let Down through the Roof of a House
Luke 5:17-20
On one of the days while Jesus was teaching, some proud religious law-keepers and teachers of the Law were sitting by Him. They had come from every town in the countries of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was there to heal them. Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus. He was carried on a bed. They looked for a way to take the man into the house where Jesus was. But they could not find a way to take him in because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof over where Jesus stood. Then they let the bed with the sick man on it down before Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.
The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers thought to themselves, “Who is this Man Who speaks as if He is God? Who can forgive sins but God only?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said to them, “Why do you think this way in your hearts? Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’?
“So that you may know the Son of Man has the right and the power on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the man who could not move his body, “I say to you, get up. Take your bed and go to your home.” At once the sick man got up in front of them. He took his bed and went to his home thanking God. All those who were there were surprised and gave thanks to God, saying, “We have seen very special things today.”
He’s the only One with authority to FORGIVE SINS and CURE the CONSEQUENCES of sin – that is our JOY and the reason for this season!
We cannot imagine the JOY of a DOWNCAST person touched and reassured with MERCY and HELP through grace – that is JESUS’ MISSION to humanity. Obviously, FOOD and DRINK cannot stand in for, or demonstrate the utmost in Love, it’s a matter of the whole HEART and your LIFE for eternity! That is a worthwhile CELEBRATION with relevance!
Dear reader, pause and reflect on this fact; accept His WARM, ALL ENCOMPASSING LOVE and REDEDICATE yourself to Jesus; maximize the JOY of this season like ZACCHAEUS https://biblicallifelessons.com/5-lessons-we-can-learn-from-zacchaeus-in-the-bible/#:~:text=Personal%20Transformation%3A%20Zacchaeus’%20story%20teaches,to%20change%20and%20seek%20redemption. and CORNELIUS –
In the Bible, Cornelius was a Roman centurion who became the first Gentile to convert to Christianity through the Apostle Peter:
- Cornelius’ conversionCornelius was a good man who believed in God and gave alms to the people. He received a vision from an angel to send for Peter, who was living in Joppa. Peter told Cornelius about Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit descended on everyone in Cornelius’ household. Peter baptized Cornelius and his household, making Cornelius the first Gentile to become a Christian.
- Peter’s encounter with CorneliusPeter’s encounter with Cornelius was a significant moment in Jewish-Gentile relations. Peter’s actions were justified by his appeal to God’s embrace of all people. Peter’s actions reinforced the idea of fellowship, friendship, and neighbor-love between Jews and Gentiles in Christ.
who shared JESUS’ Presence with their entire households!
May the JOY of SALVATION be permanent in us, Amen.🙏🔥🎼🎻🎺🕺🏽💃🏽