“And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed where in the sick of the palsy lay” (Mark 2:4).
Now this man had four friends who took action and was willing to do what was necessary to get their friend healed. Now I ask you this question, what kind of friends do you have?
Certainly, if I were to ask you do you think his friends had faith in Jesus’ healing power? I’m sure your answer would have to be yes, without question. I mean look at what they were willing to go through.
They climbed up on the roof with a sledgehammer or whatever they needed to break up the roof, and then they made some kind of pulley in order to lower their friend down in front of Jesus.
Did they have expectation? Sure they had expectation, and expectation has its place, but it does not complete the deal. You must understand that you have to complete your faith by acting on what you have heard and believed.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the crippled man, “Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.” Now listen, when Jesus says your sins are forgiven, then your sins are forgiven, period. Yet the man is still on the cot.
In the meantime, notice the reaction of the scribes. They begin to say among themselves, “who does He think He is, only God can forgive sins, this is blasphemous.”
Well immediately Jesus said to them, “What is easier to say, thy sins are forgiven thee, or arise and take up thy bed and walk.” In other words when Jesus says your sins are forgiven you, it is the same as saying take up your bed and walk, which meant the sick man was healed.
So then why is he still lying on that cot? I mean the Lord has spoken, right? And they believed, right? Well this means the man on the cot is going to have to do something in order to release his faith.
So Jesus said, “I say unto thee arise….” Well, the man didn’t say, “I can’t walk, I’m on this bed.” No, he put action to his faith, immediately he rose and took up his bed and walked. He acted on the Word in order to complete his faith.
You see, even though you may have obvious expectation, and the Word is spoken to you, your faith still has to be completed with action.
Scripture Reference: Mark 2:1-12
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).