Daily Devotional 8-31-26
People Who Go Up on the Roof
Reading: Luke 5:19-26 - Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When 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.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
The 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?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
Devotional: The paralyzed man in this passage could not get to Jesus on his own. He needed people who refused to accept obstacles as final answers. His friends saw a crowd and chose a rooftop. Their determination was not reckless -- it was love in action. Who in your life is waiting for someone to carry them forward? The most powerful thing you can do for another person is refuse to give up on getting them to the one who can meet their deepest need. Friendship, at its finest, looks like effort that costs you something.
Reflection: Who are you carrying right now, and who is carrying you?
Reading: Luke 5:19-26 - Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When 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.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
The 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?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
Devotional: The paralyzed man in this passage could not get to Jesus on his own. He needed people who refused to accept obstacles as final answers. His friends saw a crowd and chose a rooftop. Their determination was not reckless -- it was love in action. Who in your life is waiting for someone to carry them forward? The most powerful thing you can do for another person is refuse to give up on getting them to the one who can meet their deepest need. Friendship, at its finest, looks like effort that costs you something.
Reflection: Who are you carrying right now, and who is carrying you?
No Comments