Jesus heals two people who were unable to walk. While I can discuss all of the spiritual lessons that we can learn from these miracles, let’s look at the two accounts.
The first is in Luke 5:17-20,25-26
“ One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby…….Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”……… “Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” NLT
The second is in John 5:1-9a.
“Afterward, Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!” NLT
In the first story, we see the faith of those who brought their friend to Jesus. They went through great lengths for their friend to see Jesus.
They went through the roof! Jesus saw the faith of the friends and not only healed the man physically but spiritually. Jesus forgave the paralytic of his sins.
As Christians, our faith can have an impact on the lives of others both physically and spiritually. I believe that this is the true action of loving your neighbor.
Whether you can take a friend to a doctor’s appointment or praying for them during a difficult season in their life.
In the story, it says Jesus saw their faith, meaning the faith of the friends. This is the same for us. Jesus sees our faith in our love for our neighbor.
In the second miracle, the man at the pool of Bethesda, did not have anyone to help him into the pool when the water bubbles up. I am sure that the man felt alone and helpless. This man did not have friends to help him into the pool. So when Jesus can along, Jesus saw him. When we feel alone in our situations, we can know that Jesus sees us and is with us. As Christians, we have the comfort of knowing that Jesus will never leave us.
Hebrews 5:13b reminds us, “ For God has said, “ I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (NLT). In our darkest hour, God is with us.
Our faith is a big part of seeing miracles in our lives. Our faith can provide comfort to those around us and ourselves.
How has your faith impacted the lives of others? How has it made a difference in our own life? I would love to hear about it. Leave a comment or email me!
