Jodi Toepke

Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man – such a beautifully familiar Bible passage of a paralyzed man who is lowered down through the roof so that he could see Jesus.

As I read through this story once again, I was struck by one small word – “their”. Verse 5 says, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man ‘Son your sins are forgiven’.” It is clear to me that he could not have been healed and sins forgiven without the assistance, efforts and faith of his friends. Jesus saw the faith in all of them. 

During this time of reflection and preparation of Lent, I am reminded that the support and faith of others is vital to our faith journey. We do not walk this Lenten preparation alone. God has placed us in each other’s lives to bolster and carry one another during the peaks and valleys and to be present in Sunday services, small groups, prayer chains, or even a Facebook post. God sees our faith in all of these things as we carry one another and walk together towards Him.

We pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for placing me in the lives of others. Please continue to use me for Your will and to do Your work on earth. In Your Son’s Name we pray. Amen.