In this world, if we take a stand for the truth of the gospel, we may face hardship, persecution, suffering or even death. If we choose to stand on truth, never compromising the fact that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the life; we may suffer loss of material and worldly goods. Furthermore, if we stand firm that Jesus is the perfect Righteous Son of God who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, then rose again on the third day; then some will call us many names to try to destroy us. Still, when we consider Him, could we do anything less? Is not one glimpse of His glory worth it all?
When you possess the greatest treasure how can you not desire to share it with all whom you meet? Could love do any less? If you know they are destined to be in eternal damnation separated from their creator, the very source of life, goodness and joy forever; would you not be willing to risk everything for their salvation, even if you humanity thought them unworthy? For were you not also unworthy?
For the Glory One Day of Seeing Him, isn’t it worth the suffering now?
Throughout the world there are many who face imprisonment, torture, or even death for daring to proclaim the name of Jesus. In our country, for many years we have enjoyed the privilege of religious freedom. Yet that freedom we have taken for granted. Furthermore, we have during these times of privilege, allowed our very core beliefs to be compromised in the name of civility. Yet, the very ones who pressed us to lay aside those beliefs, infiltrated our churches. They now wish to cancel all the truth of the gospel message, denying the cross and God’s son who paid the penalty for our sins. Now as we are pressed to lay aside truth or be cancelled ourselves, who will stand up for Jesus? Will we recognize the worth of Glory. The Glory of seeing Jesus face to face. So the suffering now is worth the Glory then.
A Cripple, His Suffering, and Glory
As we turn to look at the cripple in Luke 5 who was given the greatest gift of all, forgiveness; let us seek to understand what truly transformed his life. As we review this text of scripture, let us consider each detail from the crowd, the four friends, Jesus Himself, the teachers of the law, and the Pharisees. We must look at not only what is at stake in seeking to see Jesus face to face. The suffering that we may face now. Yet, the Glory that will be ours one day. We must keep our eyes focused on Him. “The author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Then, let us consider. Is there any suffering too great to endure for the salvation of one soul?
The Glory of Jesus—Displayed and Promised to All Who believe.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
John 17: 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [j]will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
He has promised to make us perfect in one. The love of the Father and the son, indwelling us with the power of the Holy Spirit sealing us forever in His Love and His Glory. Cloaked in His righteousness. Set free from the chains of sin. Endowed with His Spirit, His power, and His might. Crucified in Him and raised to newness of life. Spiritually alive, filled with all the heavenly blessings—here and now.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…and nothing or no one shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 1,39.
A Cripple Brought to Jesus
17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present [c]to heal them.
Pause: What does it mean the power of the Lord was present to heal them? As has been shone throughout the gospel of Luke, Jesus is God. This is going to be a particularly important point in the passages which follow. Yet, Jesus while on this earth was fully human, having chosen to lay down His deity for a time to rely fully on the Father and the Holy Spirit. He humbled himself and became a servant. Emptying Himself out, He became fully dependent on the Father and the Holy Spirit fulfilling the will of the Father in all that He did. Note also, 15 However, the report went around concerning Him more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 4:15-16
Luke 5: 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.
Determination:
Imagine these 4 men who accompanied him. Think of their determination to place this cripple directly in front of Jesus. They believed Jesus could heal Him. But the crowd would not let them through. No one showed compassion or sympathy to this man. Did they know him? We discover in a moment that he knew he was a sinner, and his greatest need was to be forgiven by God for his sins. So, did everyone else recognize him? Would they have shouted unworthy? Was his condition a direct result of some horrendous sin?
It took courage Strength and ingenuity for the other 4 men to get him in front of Jesus, but they did. Is there anyone you would go to extra lengths to present them to Christ? What about some one you do not think is worthy? Would you go the extra length to present Jesus to them? Recognizing that without Jesus they are destined to be in eternal damnation, separated from the source of life, goodness, and joy forever?
The Suffering Now- Nothing compared to the Glory.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
We know little about the story of the cripple. How did he become paralyzed? Yet, it must have been agonizing in that day. Yet, as Jesus laid His eyes upon the man, He saw the greater agonized. The man’s suffering state was one of unforgiven sin. Jesus could see to his heart and read his mind. The man knew his unworthiness; yet, he came to Jesus with a repentant, faith filled heart. For we read next.
20 When He (JESUS) saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
This was not just for the moment. But from that day forward. That was the tense of the verb used in the original text. Your sins are now forgiven and will continue being forgiven, because of your faith.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2
The Cancel Culture
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Not only did they want to cancel Jesus, but they also wanted Him dead. Hence why they led the charge to have Him crucified ultimately. Little did they in their self-righteousness realize they did exactly what the Father had planned all along. Jesus came to die, so that He might offer them salvation. Yet, they denied Him, tried to cancel Him, and He rose from the grave that we who believe might be saved.
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?
Jesus read their minds, though they had not spoken a word.
23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”
Is the Glory then worth the suffering now?
All the suffering that this paralytic had faced was worth it. He will stand with Jesus in Glory one day. Many in the crowd, who had not suffered walked away still lost in their sins. The Pharisees for all their pious religiosity still would die without having really seen Jesus. Even though He was right before their eyes.
In this world, if we take a stand for the truth of the gospel, we may face hardship, persecution or even death. If we choose to stand on truth, never compromising the fact that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the life; we may suffer loss of material and worldly goods. Furthermore, if we stand firm that Jesus is the perfect Righteous Son of God who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, then rose again on the third day; then some will call us many names to try to destroy us.
Still, when we consider Him, could we do anything less? When you possess the greatest treasure how can you not desire to share it with all whom you meet? Could love do any less? If you know they are destined to be in eternal damnation separated from their creator, the very source of life, goodness and joy forever; would you not be willing to risk everything for their salvation, even if you humanity thought them unworthy? For were you not also unworthy?
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.