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How did they know that Jesus would heal their friend?

by Pastor Dominic

In the gospel of Luke we see the following account of Jesus’ early ministry in Capernaum: Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." (Luke 5:18-20) “NKJV”

Now some might wonder why they (including the man in need of healing) were convinced that Jesus could and would heal the paralytic man. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus is asked by John the Baptist via his disciples “Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus answers them directly but in a way that emphasized the fulfillment of the prophetic writings of Isaiah when He said, The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (Matthew 11:5) “NKJV”

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He didn’t frame His answer this way to be mysterious but quite the reverse; these signs tell us who He is. This is what the Messiah will do, did do, and does still. It is not a question of God’s will; Jesus is the image of this invisible God and this is His nature.

Jesus also observes their diligence and determination and comments on their faith, which was evidenced by their actions. James said “faith without works is dead”—just like the man’s legs. Sometimes there is going to be action required on our part to see our prayers come to pass. Maybe you are called to be the witness, maybe you have to lay hands on and pray or even fast and pray, (Mark 9:29) maybe you need to get real about the way you spend your money on fast food or cigarettes or cable, maybe God is calling you to simply spend time with Him, intimate time, in your thought life, sharing your fears, hopes, dreams, and disappointments. “Where do I start?” you might ask. Perhaps the answer is on bended knee. L I

Pastor Dominic Sunukjian is Senior Pastor of Trinity Worship Christian Fellowship. He started the church after he was ordained in the fall of 2001. To reach Pastor Dom, email him at pdom@trinityworship.org. Visit the church website at http://www.trinityworship.org.