My Morning with God- Mark 2:1-5 KJV

🌿 Devotional: “When Faith Lifts You Up”

1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

This past week my Pastor preached about this scripture and I have been reflecting on it.This morning, as I think about the story of the friends who carried the paralyzed man to Jesus, my heart is stirred deeply. These men didn’t let the crowded house stop them. They climbed onto the roof, tore it open, and lowered their friend down – right into the presence of Jesus. And when Jesus saw their faith, He healed him.

As a nurse for over 40 years, I’ve carried many people, both physically and spiritually. Sometimes it was a patient who had lost hope in recovery. Other times it was a fellow nurse, overwhelmed by the weight of the shift. And still other times, it was my own family, when burdens were too heavy for them to carry alone.

But what strikes me most about this story is that Jesus responded not just to the man’s need, but to the faith of his friends. It was their determination, their refusal to let barriers stop them, and their belief that “If we can just get him to Jesus, everything will change” that moved His heart.

I think about how many people around us are paralyzed today – not just in their bodies but in their minds, emotions, and spirit. Some are paralyzed by fear, grief, shame, or regret. As caregivers, mentors, and believers, we are called to carry them to Jesus, even when it means climbing roofs, tearing away barriers, and doing the hard, uncomfortable work of intercession and compassion.

Today, I ask myself:

• Whose mat am I willing to carry?

• Who needs me to lift them up in prayer, encouragement, or even practical help?

• Am I willing to do the inconvenient thing to bring them hope?

Just as those friends climbed high to lower their friend down, I want my faith to rise above obstacles. I want my love for others to be so determined that it breaks through the roofs of complacency, fear, or busyness to bring them into the healing presence of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, give me the faith of those friends who refused to let barriers stand between their loved one and You. Show me today who needs to be carried, encouraged, or prayed for. Help us to build this type of family oriented community in The City Whorsip Center.Let our love be determined, our faith be strong, and our life bring others closer to You. Create in us a clean heart and renew in us a right loving Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.