One of the best pictures of giving up something for someone else is found in Luke 5.
18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 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. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.
Luke 5:18-25
These guys do what it takes to get their friend to Jesus. And in the end, it’s THEIR faith, not the man’s faith, that saves him. An interesting choice of words by Jesus.
Why their faith? I think Jesus is saying, “without these guys, you may have never had the chance to even put your faith in me”.
That’s the way it is for so many of us. We have faith in Jesus because of someone else’s faith. Their faith, their sacrifice, their effort… led us to Jesus.
Today as you fast from something for someone, thank God for the chance to bring them before Jesus.
Jesus, help me to know what I need to do to help my friend meet you.