Luke 5

The final half of Luke 5 addresses the story of the guys who arrived at the house Jesus was with their paralyzed friend but couldn’t get inside so he could be healed.  They got up on the roof and lowered their friend down to Jesus.  Do you remember what happens: “Impressed by their bold belief, he said, Friend, I forgive your sins”.  The power of a band of brothers is shown here like few places in scripture.  These guys carry a man to Jesus – literally.  They seem blocked by the crowd but they are determined that if they can only get their buddy with Jesus, life will be different.  So they take the bold step of climbing up on the roof, somehow dragging their friend up there on a stretcher and then lowering him down with rope or something right where Jesus was.  Think of the impact we could have if we had that same kind of passionate love for people around us – that we would let nothing stop us from getting them to Jesus.  Did you catch what scripture says: “Impressed by their bold belief” – never underestimate the power of intercession.  This is a vivid example of physically interceding for a brother but the power of that leads to forgiveness which led to healing.  The paralyzed friend walked out of that house a free man – free from sin and paralysis.  Why – because a group of brothers were determined to get him to Jesus.   Oh what a lesson for us to learn.  The last part of the chapter deals with the call of Matthew to be one of the 12.  Jesus said “Come along with me.” 28 And he did–walked away from everything”.  Instant obedience again. But more importantly is what Jesus did when Matthew invited him to a dinner with “tax men and other disreputable characters as guests”.  Jesus went and although He knew He would be questioned and challenged – He hung out with the outcasts and people in need.  Here is what Jesus said: “I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders–an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out”.  Radical grace guys – it would have been a better ministry move to avoid them.  It opened a can of worms that eventually would lead to crucifixion.  But Jesus came to save us all, no matter what we are.  He doesn’t differentiate based on any human factor other than the heart.  I need to make sure I look at all people like Jesus did.  They are people loved by God.  Lord give me a heart for people that is like yours………….