When people reached Jesus, their restoration came easily. But there are obstacles that keep us from coming to Jesus and receiving His care. Our lesson today gives us two powerful examples of people who refused to let obstacles keep them from receiving from Jesus. As we read these accounts, not only do we see Jesus' power to touch lives, but we are prophetically confronted by models of aggressive faith. These people pressed through hindrances until they reached Jesus. Once they were face to face with Him, the answer to their need came quickly. The principles we'll see here are not only applicable to physical healing but to deliverance, guidance, transformation of attitudes, forgiveness, reception of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit andgeneral spiritual renewal.

The main gift of the Holy Spirit we see at work in both the leper and the friends of the paralytic is faith. Their faith in Christ impelled them through whatever obstacles would keep them from Him, until finally, face to face, they found their answer. Let's look more closely at the issues that are raised here and ask ourselves if any of these keep us from breaking through into Christ's presence to find our answer. 

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