Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Collective Faith"

"When Jesus saw their faith, he said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.' --- He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God." (Luke 5:20,24d-25)

The friends of this paralyzed man were very determined friends. They knew Jesus could help. All they needed was to get their needy friend to Him. The crowd posed no real problem. The roof only slowed the process a bit. No one could question the faith of this group. Their faith evidenced itself as the hole in the roof grew larger and larger and the man on his mat was lowered to the floor in front of Jesus. "When Jesus saw their faith", He spoke forgiveness and healing.

Don't you find it interesting that Luke notes that it was "their faith" that Jesus observed?" Indeed, it was obvious to all. But it is noteworthy that Jesus acted through the collective faith of this group. It isn't clear whether the paralyzed man's faith was active or not. Chances are that it was. Jesus' first act would indicates this. Though two things are certain. The faith of the friends was powerfully active and Jesus took the collective faith of the group into consideration.

Have you ever been in a situation where your faith wavered? Have you been like the one who came to Jesus and when ask if you believed responded, "I believe, but I need help with my faith for it is weak and struggling?" Have you ever sat with a friend whose faith was feeble wondering what you could do to help them? Most often in these situations we look within ourselves for an answer. Sometimes we isolate ourselves desperately trying to create faith. Other times we endeavor to find new faith by talking about faith with others. There are many ways we respond to such situations, but the one that is often neglected is the one clearly revealed in this story - taking our weak, struggling faith and binding it together with the faith of our fellow believers.

If you can not believe for yourself, join your faith with those who can. If your friend's faith is faltering, share your faith with them. If you are so broken that you cannot make it to Jesus on your own, have a friend or two go with you. Collective faith is not to be used to manipulate God. He cannot be manipulated. Collective faith binds God's people together. Collective faith helps create an undauntable spirit in getting to Jesus. Collective faith helps engender a greater desire for God's will to be known and accomplished. Collective faith boosters the faith of each person who shares their faith with others. Collective faith shines like a lighthouse, when an individual faith may only look like a candle.

Beloved, let's let Jesus and the world see "our faith."

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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