Persistent Patience
Scripture – Luke 5: 17One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. 18Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Reflection: Okay. Here’s another two-part story. It begins here and finishes with Sunday’s reading.
Jesus is teaching in a house. That in itself seems kind of odd. Anyway, the house was crowded with people. Some men came carrying a person on a mat. When they could not get to Jesus directly, they resorted to extreme measures. But they achieved their goal.
Jesus recognized their faith. They believed He could help their friend. They believed this so strongly they broke a hole in the roof of a stranger’s house! This was pretty serious faith.
I can’t remember a time when I was so insistent. I remember lots of times when I’ve given up – when I’ve had the sense that I tried, but there was nothing more I could do.
Lord, open me to all the possibilities. When you call me to something, give me the persistent patience to get it done. Strengthen my faith as I move today and tomorrow especially.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, February 1
Scripture – Luke 5: 22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.…” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
Reflection: Okay. Here’s another two-part story. It begins here and finishes with Sunday’s reading.
Jesus is teaching in a house. That in itself seems kind of odd. Anyway, the house was crowded with people. Some men came carrying a person on a mat. When they could not get to Jesus directly, they resorted to extreme measures. But they achieved their goal.
Jesus recognized their faith. They believed He could help their friend. They believed this so strongly they broke a hole in the roof of a stranger’s house! This was pretty serious faith.
I can’t remember a time when I was so insistent. I remember lots of times when I’ve given up – when I’ve had the sense that I tried, but there was nothing more I could do.
Lord, open me to all the possibilities. When you call me to something, give me the persistent patience to get it done. Strengthen my faith as I move today and tomorrow especially.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, February 1
Scripture – Luke 5: 22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.…” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
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