And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. (Luke
What a lovely human story this is! The crowds that gathered around our Lord, as He taught them, were so great that they filled not only the house where He was staying, with the Pharisees and learned men sitting by, but overflowed into a vast multitude in the front court. The Master may have stood on the balcony of a double-storied house, so as to be able to reach the crowds within and without.
As He was
teaching, four men approached, carrying on a hammock slung between them a
paralyzed man. We are not told in so many words that they were young men, but
their earnestness and ingenuity incline one to this idea. Perhaps they had been
school buddies together, and as they grew up they may have entered upon evil
ways, "sown their wild oats" together, and one of their number may
have been suffering from the consequences, for our Lord very distinctly set the
pardon of his sins before the healing of his body. His four companions had
probably heard Christ preach and had become His followers, for it was
"seeing their faith" that He performed this miracle of salvation and
healing. They agreed that by hook or by crook they would bring their friend
into Christ's gracious presence. Unable to make their way through the crowd,
they were not discouraged, but climbed up on to the roof, and the record says,
"let him down through the tiling." Lowered by strong hands, with its
four ropes, the hammock swung to the feet of the Master, and the expectant
imploring eyes of this poor fellow could not make a more eloquent appeal for
help than did the evident faith of his bearers.
The words
with which our Lord saluted him were very tender and gracious: "Man, thy
sins are forgiven thee!" One of the sure means of physical health is to be
assured of spiritual cleansing and forgiveness left (James
PRAYER
Enlarge our
souls with a divine love, that we may hope all things, endure all things, and
become messengers of Your healing mercy to the grievances and infirmities of
men. I pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.
God's Daily Promise
Promise #258:
I will be faithful to give you My strength and protection.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (WEB)
But the Lord is faithful,
who will establish you,
and guard you from the evil
one.
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