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My Part of the Miracle
Tim Savage4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2
I can’t take credit for this gem because Pastor Wayne just spoke on this passage, but as I read today’s scriptures, his lesson resounded in my mind, so I will repeat it in my own words. Jesus’ reputation as a healer, teacher and miracle worker preceded Him when He entered Capernaum. The house that Jesus was teaching at was packed to overflowing - people spilling out beyond the thresholds and windows to hear him speak. Friends of a crippled man heard of the Master and His healing powers and rushed to get him to Jesus only to be met with the crushing crowd. “Hell-bent” to get their friend to Him, they quickly devised an ill-advised plan: they would dig a hole in the roof of the house and lower their friend through the hole to Jesus. Brilliant!
Picture it – dirt and dust falling from the ceiling like rain, first a light sprinkle, then quickly turning in to a deluge from the digging posse. Imagine the shock and surprise of the crowd, of the homeowner! Then they lowered him to come to rest on the floor in front of the Savior. Their reckless, radical and sold-out faith so moved Jesus that He “…saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven… 11“I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!””
The lesson of this miracle was the part that the friends played in the healing. Yes, Jesus could have healed him whether he had come through the roof or not, whether he had been in the area, or not, or whether he had been half way around the world, but Jesus responded to the reckless and wonderful faith of the man’s friends and performed the miracle. The question for me is what part of the miracle will I play? What miracle? The miracles of financial restorations, physical healings, repaired relationships, salvations.
My faith and my actions determine my part of the miracle. God doesn’t need me in order to perform the miracle, but I sure would like to be part of it. Faith without action is dead, but faith with action = miracles. I get to decide: sit in the bleachers and watch others experience the joy of a supernatural event or get on to the playing field and join the celebration. The crippled man picked up his mat, jumped to his feet, apologized for the roofing mishap and he and his friends CELEBRATED! They played an important part in that life-changing and soul-saving miracle.
Dear Heavenly Father,
May I never tire of doing my part in the miracles You bring. I want to recognize those amazing miracles and celebrate them. I want to tell the stories of those miracles to inspire others and point people to You. Thank You for choosing me.
In Jesus name,
Amen
