“And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’” Luke 5:18-20
We don’t know much about this man that Jesus healed. We don’t know his story, his background. But in this small glimpse into a moment of his life, we see through Jesus’ words the importance of our faith.
The man didn’t have to say anything. He didn’t have to prove himself or work to earn forgiveness. It wasn’t even his aim in coming to Jesus. He simply had faith. Faith in what Jesus was able to do. Again, we aren’t given much detail. But whatever amount of faith this man had, it was enough.
There isn’t anything we need to do to earn our salvation. We simply need to believe our Lord. We need to put our faith in Him and trust in His sacrifice to save us. Faith in this God of righteousness, justice, and perfect love changes our lives dramatically—but the key isn’t our strength to change ourselves. It is the simplicity of faith. Faith that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He has said He will do. Faith that He will forgive, that He will cleanse, that He will provide for and watch over us. Faith that He will equip us and strengthen us to follow Him always. Faith that He knows what He’s doing. Faith that He will never leave.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17).
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In Pleasant Places 