Today’s thought “When he saw their faith” (March 14)

Today’s thought

“When he saw their faith”

(March 14)

In Luke 5 today there is a thought-provoking account of a paralysed man that was brought to Jesus on a stretcher by his friends (verse 18). When they could not get near to Jesus, who was in a house, and the crowd around him, seems to have included “scribes and Pharisees” (verse 21)

“they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus” (verse 19).

Jesus healed the man who

“went home glorifying God” (verse 25).

It is a particular comment of Jesus that exercises our thoughts: Jesus performed the healing

“when he saw their faith” (verse 20).

This exercise of faith, especially when faced with difficulties – that is surely a lesson for us. How many overcome difficulties today – that threaten to hinder them from showing “their faith”? What great challenges there are in Islamic countries!

But what about totally godless, atheistic counties? Do you live in one? Does it stop you from showing your faith? I grew up and went to school in England during the war – it was a challenge, at that time to adults, who professed “faith” – to show it.

“When he [Jesus] sees [our] faith” – or lack of it, as our world is falling apart, what will he think? And even more importantly, when he “send[s] his angels, [to] gather together his elect” (Mark 13:27)

– will that include us, because Jesus will ‘see’ our faith?

Later in Luke’s gospel – in chapter 21 – Jesus speaks of the time (our time) when

“the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled”

and “Jerusalem” is no longer “trampled underfoot by Gentiles” – there will be “distress of nations in perplexity … people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken …” (verses 25,26). May Jesus “see our faith” at that time – and then we will be among “his elect” that are gathered (see Mark 13:27).

A final quotation for us on this heart challenging matter – in Revelation 1:7: