SOAP Reading: Mark 2
"When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'" – Mark 2:5

In 2013, a small group of believers prayed fervently for a 25 year-old man, Luke Bernard, in a coma after a severe car accident. Despite grim medical reports, he regained consciousness and fully recovered. One of the attending neurosurgeons, Dr. Peter Gruen said,

“Somebody like Mr. Bernard, who comes in with a Glasgow Coma Score of three and then a few months later is walking into my brain injury clinic–I could count those on one hand. So very, very, very uncommon. And I hesitate to say the word, but, you know, it is almost—when you see it, the first word that comes to your mind is like—miraculous.”1

Many years before, friends of a paralyzed man tore through a roof to bring him to Jesus. Their innovation and determination were rewarded when Jesus cryptically forgave the man’s sins, and then healed his legs. Interestingly, this story said nothing of the man’s faith, but Jesus responded to forgive and heal when “he saw” the faith of the man’s friends, (Mark 2:5). Perhaps it wasn’t that the friends simply believed Jesus was the Messiah, but were convinced that the best thing for their friend was to get him as close as possible to Jesus, regardless of the consequences. May we boldly act with the same conviction.

Reflection:

  • How can you intercede for others in faith today?
  • What obstacles might be preventing you from approaching Jesus?
  • How does this story inspire perseverance in prayer?

  1. From an interview with the 700 Club, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3k_L9N3QMc
    ↩︎