Our Friends Need Jesus

“Actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.”

  George Washington

What are we doing to bring our friends to Jesus?  We can't make our friends accept Jesus as their Savior and LORD, but we can do much with our words and through our actions to introduce them to the love of Christ.  As Christians, we must look for opportunities to bring our friends to the living Christ.

In Luke 5:17-26, we read about a group of friends that had a great desire to bring their ill friend to Jesus.  These friends knew that Jesus completely changed the lives of those He met.  A relationship with Jesus Christ is life changing.  These men were determined to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus.  They carried him to the roof top of a house, tore apart the tiles, and lowered him into the presence of Jesus.  When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus - Luke 5:19.  What persistence and concern they had for their friend.  How fortunate this man was to have friends that ministered to his needs and had a great desire to bring him to Jesus. 

We have lost friends and family members.  How are we ministering to them and leading them to Jesus Christ?  He is truly our only hope.  1 Peter 1:3-4 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.  Maybe you had friends who led you to Jesus.  Thank Almighty God for blessing you with friends who cared about your spiritual condition.  We need to have an urgency about us in regards to bring our friends and family members to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. 

We notice in Scripture that these friends had faith that Jesus would heal their paralyzed friend.  They had faith in Jesus Christ.  Luke 5:20 - When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgive."  In addition, their love for their ill friend united these men to work together to bring him to Jesus.  They did not allow the crowd at the door to discourage them.  It is a sad situation when people stand in the way of others who want to meet Jesus Christ.  Let's never allow ourselves to be a stumbling block to those coming to meet Jesus. 

On this day, Jesus healed the man’s physical body but also the man received spiritual healing.  His sins were forgiven, his soul was saved. 

We are living in the last days.  We do not know when Christ will say, "Come home my child."  Let's be concerned for our friends and for their eternal souls.  Bring your friends to Jesus. 

Dear Heavenly Father, place in our hearts an urgency to bring our friends to Jesus.  Guide us in our actions and our words, Father.  I pray we never become a stumbling block to those without Christ.  In Jesus Name I Pray.....Amen.