Determined Faith

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” ---Mark 2:3-5

Jesus had been in Capernaum before. (Mark 1:21-34) During His first visit, the entire city had gathered around the door of the house where He was staying and had healed many sick and cast out many devils.

This time, the place filled up again, but with a different crowd—Pharisees and doctors of the law. These religious leaders didn’t want healing or miracles. They came to try to catch Jesus saying something wrong so they could accuse Him. They were listening with their ears but resisting everything He said.

So the first time Jesus visited Capernaum, people came to be healed. The second time, many came to stop folks from being healed. Sometimes doubt and unbelief are so strong in a place that it’s difficult for anyone to receive from God. Jesus was in a situation like that on this second visit to Capernaum. God’s power was present in the midst of a room packed with people. But there was so much unbelief in the room that no one was receiving healing.

So what did Jesus do? Luke 5:17 tells us, “And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching…” Jesus knew the unbelief was strong, but He just kept on teaching. He knew that someone in the crowd would hear and that when that person heard, he’d be healed.

Suddenly, four men came carrying a man on a stretcher. The place was so full of people not getting healed that the one who wanted healing couldn’t even squeeze in! So the man’s friends found another way into the building. And when Jesus saw the determined faith of these four men, their paralyzed friend was healed!

Confession: Those who won’t receive God’s goodness and mercy aren’t going to keep me from receiving all that God says is mine. I will enjoy salvation, healing and every other blessing God has provided for me. I choose LIFE!