Jesus

September 16

Luke 5:17-26

Sharing and caring friends

One day, while Jesus was teaching in someone’s home, a group of men came along carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. Because of the crowd that had gathered, they couldn’t get into the house, so they went up onto the roof and lifted off some roof tiles. Then they lowered their friend down on his mat with ropes.

When Jesus saw him, He said, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Some of those watching got upset and whispered, “How can this man forgive sins? Only God can forgive sins.” But Jesus knew what they were thinking, and to prove that He had the power to forgive sins, He told the man to pick up his bed and go home. And at once the man was healed!

How can sharing change someone’s life?

Have you recently invited a friend to your home and had your room look like a disaster zone by the end of the day? And when your friend left, you had to tidy up the mess!

The person at whose house Jesus taught might have thought how nice it would be to have Jesus visit him in his own home. He had probably not imagined that a crowd of people was about to take over his house, or that someone would rip open his roof. Just imagine the mess after everyone had left. Yet, one crippled man walked out of his house that day—healed, forgiven, and changed forever! Wouldn’t you say it was worth it?

You may never know how wonderfully God is able to use your kind acts to change someone’s life. Be encouraged! Jesus sees when you have to clean up after everyone has left. The time and effort you spend to bless others will not go unnoticed!

Verse for today

But when you give … do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4