Thoughts to think about

Mark describes an event where Jesus has returned to Capernaum and attracts a large crowd inside and outside of a house, making it so crowded that there was no space left around the house. While Jesus was preaching, a group of people arrived, carrying a man with palsy. Due to the size of the crowd, they couldn’t reach Jesus through conventional means, so they climbed onto the roof, removed part of it, and then they  lowered their friend to where Jesus was. After seeing their faith, Jesus tells the man with palsy that his sins are forgiven.

This small group who loved their friend and who believed  that Jesus could and would heal him. Carried him to where Jesus was. Upon finding their path blocked, they climbed upon the roof, and they created an opening in the ceiling so they could gain access to Jesus. Then, they lowered their friend down into the room where Jesus was. This was a demonstration or the works of their faith.

Jesus’s act of healing and forgiveness was a demonstration of his compassion and of his authority to heal us both physically and spiritually.

Do we turn to Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, and our Redeemer, when we struggle both physically or spiritually, or when we need forgiving for what we have or haven’t done? Our faith is shown as we turn to Jesus Christ through prayer, acts of kindness, or showing compassion to all those around us.

D. Charles Wilson 05-30-2024