02/21/19 Persistent Evangelism

READING: Leviticus 20-21, Mark 2

If you’ve been in church for any length of time, you’ve probably heard their story. We don’t know their names, and we know very little about their history. What details we know about their lives are fascinating. They wanted to bring their paralytic friend to Jesus, but they couldn’t get to Him because of the crowds in the house where He was. Not to be deterred, they instead “removed the roof above him [Jesus], and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying” (Mark 2:4).

Whatever that work required, they put forth their best efforts to get their friend to Jesus. They must have been convinced that He could do something, and they would allow nothing to get in their way. As a result, Jesus healed the man and forgave his sins. The people in turn only marveled, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:12).

This application is simple, yet challenging and convicting to me. I read this story, and I’m left with at least these questions:

  1. How much effort do I put forth to make sure others know about Jesus?
  2. Would I be willing to risk the ire of some (like, for example, the homeowners who lost their roof in this story) for the sake of others hearing about Jesus?
  3. How strongly do I believe that Jesus still heals and forgives today? 

May God help me to bring others to Jesus.

PRAYER: “Lord, do help me. Help me to evangelize. Help me to persevere in these efforts.”

TOMORROW’S READING: Leviticus 22-23, Mark 3:1-30

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