There is truth in Scripture that we know and have heard many times, yet at a particular time in our reading it or our hearing it again its impact upon us almost knocks us over. Such was the case with a familiar passage recently. The passage is loaded with great truth and personal application with regard to compassion, persistence, corporate faith and the revelation of Jesus authority and power, just to name a few things.  But on this day as the pastor read the text the words that pushed me back in my seat were, "When Jesus saw their faith..." (Luke 5:20).

You know the story. Jesus was in someone's house teaching when some men brought their paralytic friend to Jesus carrying him on a mat. When they arrived at the house where Jesus was teaching they could not get anywhere close, so with undaunted diligence they made their way to the roof of the house. They proceeded to rip a hole in the roof large enough to lower their friend down so he lay at Jesus' feet. It is then Luke notes, "when Jesus saw their faith, he said…" Jesus "saw" their faith!

Their faith was so visibly demonstrated that there was no need of inquiry or verbalization.

There are times where the record indicates Jesus' confronting a person's faith by asking if they believe or their faith is addressed in some verbal form. Yet, it can be safe to say, there are as many recorded incidents where Jesus responds to someone's visible faith alone, or He makes note of the individual's faith after the fact. However the power of these words for us lies in their implicit question, "is our faith visible?" Do our actions, our daily lives, so demonstrate our faith that people see it? That Jesus sees it?

James confronts us with this very issue stating, "But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe there is a God. Good!  Even demons believe that ­ and shudder." (James 2:18-19)  

Unfortunately for many there is a great disconnect between what they say they believe and the way they live. This reality should drive us into self-examination, or even better, a submission to a Spirit-examination for a faith that is not visible, a faith that is not being demonstrated by our every day actions, is no faith at all! And it is abundantly clear in Scripture and history, that God works to accomplish His purposes through the faith of His people. 

"When Jesus saw their faith, He …"

Keep Close to Jesus.

Pastor Gerry