“Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
Mark 2:5
The Greatest Need
“What do you think you are doing?” asked the owner of the house. He had been happy to allow Jesus to use his house to share the Word. However, he never agreed to the roof being torn off his home. “This is too much!” But the four men, as well as the paralytic, were insistent, continuing their efforts until the sick man could find himself before Jesus. Like in the story of Jesus healing the paralytic, it is through seeing our faith and erasing our sins that Christ can make us whole.
The problem was that the man’s real need was not to be physically healed. Therefore, his friends were astonished when they heard his sins were forgiven. You see, the real need, even the greatest need, of this man was to be forgiven of his sin and thereby escape the judgment of God.
A Life of Faith
In our everyday lives, we often misinterpret the signs around us. The result is decisions that never solve the real problem. Look at your life today. Are you child of God, having put your faith in His Son and His atoning death? If you are a child of God, are you living your life in proper relation to the guidelines Christ has defined for fruitful, faithful living?
What is your greatest need today? Do others look at you and wonder whether you are a Christian? Allow me to admonish you to live a life of faith—insistent faith, persistent faith, consistent faith—as exemplified by these four friends.
What Now?
Consider the neediness in your life and how Christ’s finished work on the cross has satisfied your greatest need—salvation. Next, reflect on the areas in your life where you are most in need of the Lord’s helping hand even now. Thank Him for being the Lord of all.
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