Todays readings.. Leviticus 22, Psalms 125-127, Luke 5

“WHEN HE SAW THEIR FAITH” 

In our 5^th chapter in Luke’s gospel today there is a thought provoking account of a paralysed man that was brought to Jesus on a stretcher by his friends. (v,18)  When they could not get near to Jesus, who was in a house, and the crowd around him, seems to have included “scribes and Pharisees” [v.21] “they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.” [v.19]   Jesus healed the man who “went home glorifying God.” [v.25]

It is a particular comment of Jesus that exercises our thoughts: Jesus performed the healing “when he saw their faith” [v.20].  This exercise of faith, especially when faced with difficulties – that is surely a lesson for us. How many overcome difficulties today – that threaten to hinder them from showing “their faith”?  What great challenges there are in Islamic countries! 

But – what about totally godless, atheistic counties?  Do you live in one?  Does it stop you from showing your faith? I grew up and went to school in England during the war – it was a challenge, at that time to adults, who professed “faith”- to show it. 

“When he (Jesus) sees (our) faith – or lack of it, as our world is falling apart, what will he think?  And even more importantly, when he “send(s) his angels, (to) gather together his elect” [Mark 13 v.27] –  will that include us – because Jesus will ‘see’ our faith? 

Later in Luke’s gospel – in ch. 21 – Jesus speaks of the time (our time) when “the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” and “Jerusalem” is no longer  “trampled underfoot by Gentiles” – there will be “distress of nations in perplexity … people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken… “ [v.25,26]  May Jesus ‘see our faith’ at that time – and then we will be among “his elect” that are gathered see Mark 13 v.27.

A final quotation for us on this heart challenging matter – in Revelation 1 v.7 “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail …”

But we will not – and Jesus will see our “faith.”