Faith of Four Friends

Dear Kids,

Mark 2:3 “And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men.”

The men huddled together engrossed in deep conversation. For years they had loved and cared for their paralyzed friend with patient endurance. Day by day they had performed the most menial and primitive needs for this one who could do nothing for himself. They loved him and that is what kept them at their tasks.

Recently they had heard about a great teacher who could heal invalids like their friend. With excited confidence they had rigged up his bed and bore him on their shoulders to the house in Capernaum where the miracle worker was staying. But their spirits fell when, even from a distance, they heard the cacophony of hundreds of voices surrounding the residence where their only hope was housed.

“Now what will we do?” they thought. “We haven’t come all this way to be brushed aside by these early arrivals.” Truly believing that this famous healer could help their friend, they put their heads closer together to brainstorm a way to beat the crowd.

Maybe it was their creative experience in helping their inanimate friend or possibly sheer desperation, but they finally came up with a plan. Pushing through the massive crowds they forced their way to the base of the house. With muscles straining they hauled the mobile bed up to the roof and began to dig through the mud and branches capping the building.

Those inside were surprised by the rain of dirt and leaves falling to the ground but even more so by the determined looks of four men lowering a wasted body through the hole to be placed at the feet of Jesus.

Jesus turned perceptive eyes to the ceiling. Looking past the sweat streaked faces, He saw the men’s loyalty and unswerving confidence in His ability to help firmly planted in their hearts. Then, kindly speaking to the helpless man at His feet, He spoke, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

These all important words, though life-giving to the man’s soul, brought criticism from the teachers of the law sitting there. They were thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Jesus, reading their thoughts, responded, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and go home.’” To the astonishment of all present, the lame man stood up, took up his mat, and walked out in front of them all. “This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this?’”

Are you desperate for a loved friend? Don’t be discouraged by the cacophony of noises from the world. Don’t allow the circumstances to prevent you from fulfilling your mission. In faith bring him or her to Jesus.

Love,

Mama