Captured by Grace Devotionals Day 8

Moments of Grace: The Man on the Mat

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
Mark 2:5

The healing of the paralytic is remarkable because it tells of four men who lowered one friend through the roof, resulting in three miracles.  The first was the miracle of pardon—Jesus forgave the man's sin.  Then there was a miracle of healing—Jesus bade the man walk again.  Last, there was the miracle of perception—Jesus peered through the hearts of these four men like an X-ray scanner and saw their faith.  He also read the minds of the critics who were watching.

Regarding the four men, others in the house saw their earnestness and compassion, but Jesus looked deeper and saw their faith.  They believed He could make the difference in their friend's life; and there was no barrier too high, no problem too great, and no challenge too daunting to prevent them from bringing their friend to Him. It was a moment of grace.

Do you have a friend who needs a touch from the Lord?  Perhaps you can't carry that one to Christ on a pallet, but you can do so in prayer.  Learn the power of intercessory prayer, and plead for the one about whom you're concerned.  Offer the prayer of faith; then wait to see what God will do.

Prayer lays hold of God's plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth.
Elisabeth Elliot

Recommended Reading: Mark 2:1-12