When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you. Mark 2:5
REFERENCE
Mark 2:1-12
Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is substance, and it is evidence. That means it is tangible; it can be touched and it can be seen in the corresponding actions that accompany it. And verse 6 says, ‘Without faith, it is impossible to please God;” impossible to receive from Him or to get Him to do anything for you. He is always looking for faith.
Our text says, “When Jesus saw their faith” that is, the paralytic and the four men (probably his friends). How did Jesus see it? By the length the friends went in bringing the paralytic to Jesus. Jesus looked up at the four men struggling with crude ropes tied to the stretcher with a paralytic on it. Their bold and determined action to bring their friend to Jesus proved they had real faith.
By that faith, a miracle occurred which reversed an incapacitating illness. Thus, faith and miracles are interdependent on each other – the miraculous cannot take place without faith and faith cannot be present without bearing fruits of the miraculous – supernatural interventions.
Romans 10:17, reveals that faith comes by hearing God’s Word; I believe those four friends must have heard Jesus preach, and having been stirred in their faith by what they heard, then went home to bring their friend. Indeed, faith produces miracles; but it is the hearing of the Word of God that produces faith.
To have faith that produces the miraculous therefore, you can’t afford to be casual about the Word; rather, you must be focused on and keep being exposed to the Word; with an expectation to see results, and corresponding actions to show you are stirred by the Word. Also, Jesus could not ignore the faith of these five people in this story. It was faith that was victorious over every discouragement or hindrance (crowd, no stairs, no rope, remove roof, etc.). This is the kind of faith Jesus always looks for and commends; it is the kind of faith that releases the miraculous.
Is your faith tangible, can it be seen? Faith is birthed in the heart but it is revealed in our acts.
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PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL STUDY
Mark 5:25-34, Luke 18:1-8, & James 2:18-26
REFLECTION
What are you doing to show God that you believe He will do something about your matter? How often do you pray about it? How’s your confession?
Do you know what the Word says about it? Are you focused on what the Word says about it?
