November 21, 2021: SOAP #4371:  Matthew 8-10

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 8:16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
9:2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
9:32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.

OBSERVATION: Jesus graciously ministered to all who came to Him.  And in the three verses above from todays reading, we see Jesus ministering to those who were brought to him. 

These individuals needed Jesus; they also needed others who had enough love and concern to make it possible for them to see Jesus. 

Those bringing their friends, their children, their family members to Jesus could not provide what was needed, but they had faith that it would be worth the effort to bring them to Jesus.  The second verse above says that Jesus saw “their” faith—the faith of those who had carried the paralytic to Jesus.  They had faith that it would be worth the effort to carry their friend to Jesus!  

APPLICATION:  The Lord wants me to be a friend with faith.  He wants to use my knowledge of the Lord to point others to Him.  He may want to use my resources to get my friend to Jesus. 

He may want to use me to carry His presence to those needing to connect with Him. 

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, make me a link that connects others to you, and you to others.  May I point the way to you; may I carry your presence to them.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!