REACHING OUT TO JESUS
Luke 5:18 & 19
18. "And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
19.And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus."
On that particular occasion, as is recorded in Luke 5, Jesus was in a house, surrounded by a multitude. He was teaching and healing those who had gathered. Later, some men had arrived, carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. The man's paralysis was caused by a debilitating disease of the nervous system. The man's friends, who loved and cared for him, desired his healing. Their intention was to place the sick man in front of Jesus, so that he could be healed. We ought to be like the man's friends, that is, we need to show how much we care for others, by seeking to bring relief to their painful, uncomfortable situations.
In verse 19, we are informed that, as a result of the large crowd,
the usual physical access to Jesus was barred. The man's friends were determined, for he was in a dire situation. They were desperate and needed to get near to Jesus. Jeremiah 29:13 makes a very reassuring point - "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jesus is never far from us. When we earnestly reach out to Him, He is always there to bring the solution to our problems.
Driven by determination, perseverance and anchored faith in God, the men went on the housetop and removed a portion of it, to create a pathway to Jesus.
From that point, they let the paralytic down through the tiling, with his couch in front of Jesus. Having confidence and assurance in Jesus, enable us to overcome our challenges. We must never look at the obstacles or hurdles before us, although they may seem insurmountable. God will always provide a escape route.
Much comfort can always be found in God's Word, such as Psalms 32:8, which states, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." May we endeavour to seek God's guidance. He stands by ready to deliver.