Mark 2:1-5 NIV
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
INVEST: Talk about going above and beyond for a friend! These four men literally carried their paralyzed friend Jesus. Determined to see their friend healed, they invested their time, resources, and physical exertion to lay him at the feet of Jesus.
What did Jesus do with their investments? Spiritual and physical miracles! They came to receive a physical miracle, but Jesus gave them even more— forgiveness. Jesus can do more than we ask or think when we are willing to invest of our time, energy, and resources to bring others to come to know Him.
Looking to go deeper into today’s Scripture?
1. Sit quietly for a few minutes. Take a deep breath calming your heart and mind in the presence of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your soul to hear what Jesus wants to tell you.
2. Read today’s Scripture slowly. Listen for God’s voice to you in the text. Read it again and try to identify one word or phrase that stood out to you or caught your attention.
3. Ponder/meditate what God is saying to you. What is going on in the passage? What is God wanting you to know? What is the good news He wants for you?
4. Begin to pray from this Scripture passage. Pray in response to what God is saying to you. What is the Holy Spirit laying on your heart out of this passage? Do you need to pray for a confession? Do you need to pray for action? Do you need to pray for a conviction or an affirmation?
5. Share with your family or friend. What is your key take-away from this passage? What will you put into practice? Who do you want to pray for to come to know Jesus?
21 Days of Prayer & Fasting 