Jesus Saw Their Faith
- Abbey Parsley
- Oct 23, 2024
- 2 min read
“When I can’t fill in the physical gaps, know that I’m lowering your mat.”
“Jesus saw their faith. So he said to the man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” Mark 2:5 NIV
Check it: Jesus was out and about but returned to Capernaum, home. When people heard that He had returned, they flocked to Him in droves. It was so packed there was no room left, not even outside the door of the house He was preaching in. Four friends came carrying a paralyzed man, trying to get him to Jesus. The friends couldn’t figure out how to get the man to Jesus because there were so many people (Jesus was very popular, after all). Finally, they decided to cut a hole in the roof and (boldly, determinedly) lowered their friend on his mat through the roof, down to Jesus.
And here’s the best part…now don’t miss this…
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” AND THE MAN GOT UP AND WALKED!!
That’s me for you, friends. I’m a mat-lowering friend. I may not be able to make it to your kids’ events. I may not be able to make it to gatherings or spend all the money or always be able to make you dinner. But I will get you to Jesus! I will find a way through the roof. I will boldly, determinedly pray you through that rough day, that cancer diagnosis, that tough situation with your kid(s), that marriage season, that death of a loved one, that confusion, that loneliness, that addiction, that depression…that [season] where you feel paralyzed. So that Jesus will see OUR faith and tell you to get up and walk.
When I can’t fill in the physical gaps, know that I’m lowering your mat. And on occasion, my own mat will need lowering too, so do me a solid? Get me through that roof. And there’s a ‘soaking it all in’ that will happen. Our kids will see this, see the impact, and lead by example in their own friendships. Whew, that's good stuff!
Action Steps:
Pray for the friends in your life and ask God to reveal to you who needs their mat lowered. Some might not be speaking it out loud.
Can I just challenge us for a sec here? Just a little extra thought: Pray about the “mat” you’re sitting on. Are you on it because of your own doing? Can you contribute in any way to get yourself off that mat that needs lowering? Ask Him, He’ll tell ya.
Listen to “TEAR OFF THE ROOF”, by Brandon Lake
Prayer: Oh Father, thank You for the courageous friends that step up in Your name to help get us to You. Give us a faith so bold it doesn’t have a “ceiling”. Help our kids to see this and just simply glean from it. Amen
Written by Abbey, lowering all the mats, mom of 3