When Jesus saw their faith… Mark 2:5
Here are five encouragements to help you come to Jesus and receive from Him:
- Don’t let anything stop you.
The paralyzed man and his friends might have said, “We’ll never get near Him.” Don’t be put off by the apparent difficulty of getting to Jesus. Learn from the example of these men. They were determined to get to Jesus. Nothing would stop them. Don’t let anything stop you. - Fix your faith on Christ alone.
A man with leprosy came to Jesus, “If you will, you can make me clean” (1:40). He ignored the disciples and fixed his faith on Jesus. Other Christians can help you, but they cannot forgive your sins or give you power for living. - Come with the faith you have.
“If you will, you can make me clean” (1:40). The “if” brings together the two worlds of faith and unbelief: “I believe you can make me clean; I’m not sure you want to.” Unoffended, Jesus said, “I will; be clean” (1:41), and in these words, Jesus removed the doubt. Come to Christ with the faith you have; He’ll deal with your unbelief. - Draw encouragement from Jesus’ compassion.
“Moved with pity, he [Jesus] stretched out his hand and touched him” (1:41). Nobody touches a leper. But Jesus did. If God is like this, wouldn’t you want to know Him? If His heart is moved by this man’s plight, why wouldn’t He have compassion for you? - Get to the point.
“If you will, you can make me clean” (1:40). The reason some of us have not received from Christ is that we never get to the “ask”! Bring Jesus to the point of your need.
What step do you need to take?
