Faith filled friends

Non-weight bearing on my left leg and on crutches, I went to therapy one day and fell off my crutches breaking my left wrist, now I am in a pickle. Spending three weeks depending on my husband, many trying times but can you image a life time depending on someone?

Jesus’ popularity is gaining, crowds following him as he enters Capernaum, we are not told which home but in Mark 2 where he teaches there is standing room only. Jesus preaches the word to the people.

That day started out like any other day for the paralyzed man. He had a friend, and this friend must have found three other friends to carry him daily to a place where he probably begged, but this day was different. They heard about Jesus and they hoped for healing by Jesus. How long had they prayed for their friend?

Mark 2:4-5, “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

What are the characteristics of these friends? The first trait that I see concern. His friends knew he needed Jesus. Perhaps, in the beginning the relationship started out of curiosity, but in the end, they saw a need and they formulated a plan, carried thorough, showing in tangible ways their concern. Do you put boots to the ground when a friend that has cancer has a need? a card, a meal, a ride to the doctor?

The second trait I see is commitment. His friends committed. When they couldn’t get him in the house they took him up on the roof and removed the rock on the roof, lowering him down to Jesus. Can you imagine the face of Jesus? The face of the four men filled with faith, perhaps a glow such that Jesus says in our life verse Mark 2:5, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Are you committed to the long haul in a friendship? willing to go the extra mile, send the gift card?

Lastly, caring the third detail. The friends definitely show caring a daily investment in a friendship. Sometimes relationships take time to develop. Obviously, this man paralyzed needed caring friends. As a nurse, I know the care involve in caring for someone who challenged with paralysis. His friends showed caring by caring him on the pallet to the Jesus who could heal him and change his life. Jesus the ultimate change agent. Caring is an investment of time, sending cards, texting, visiting, making phone calls.

[Tweet “Being a friend is a blessing, God loves those who honor friendship, seeing their faith, he healed the paralytic.” Mark 2:5″]

Beloved, Do you have a friend you can count on? Do you count Jesus as your friend? If you do not have a friend, will you pray for that special friend today?

My three weeks of being in a wheel chair went quickly the pain subsided a little bit each day, as for the paralytic we read in verse 12 that he got up and took his mat that day and walked out.

Life Lesson: We all need a friend. Friendship involves concern, commitment, and caring. What kind of friend are you?

Song: What a Friend We Have In Jesus

Father God, What a friend I have in Jesus, all my sins you took away. Lord, let me have so much faith for my friends, faith for their needs. Lord for the one reading this that needs a friend give one for her. Let me have hope a hope that prevails through circumstances like illnesses and injury. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I loved you. Greater love has no one than this,that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.… John 15: 12-14