From Mark 2:3-5
"Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus, and after digging through it lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"
Reading in the Gospel of Mark this morning, the love, faith, determination, and perserverance of these four men struck a chord in me. How many people would carry a paralyzed friend to see a healer like Jesus? Faced with the opportunity, would I? Upon coming to the house where Jesus was, and seeing it surrounded by a crowd of people, would I be dedicated enough to clamber up upon the roof, and dig a hole through to present my crippled friend before him? I wonder what the owner of the house (I believe it was Peter and Andrew) thought of these guys ripping apart his roof!
These four guys must have really loved this man. They must have been dedicated to him, to go through all this work. With the middle eastern sun beating down on them as they carried him to the house, up to the roof, then dug a hole through it, it must have taken something out of them.
As I've been recuperated from knee surgery, I've been served and loved by many dedicated friends. I can sympathize with this poor guy. I also had to think of the principles shown in this account. What length would I go to in order to bring someone before Jesus Christ? How willing am I to work and serve my friends and acquaintances in order to bring them before the one true Savior.
Chicago is great, God has definitely been providing for us. He has blessed us with working out many unforeseen difficulties, such as parking, laundry and internet access, etc...
Sorry my posting and keeping in touch has been eradic. I don't have much internet access and my cell phone is out of commission.
So here's some homework, comment on a time when you've been "carried" by some friends. Have a great day!
Man, I love that thought about "what would i do to carry someone to the feet of our saviour and LORD"! As for times when i have been carried before the Lord by my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, there are so many! But one that sticks out is when i was leading a small group and a number of them fell away and some even had accusations . . . the remaining encouraged me and comforted me. Sometimes I think we don't even realize that with our simple action we are carrying one another to the feet of Christ, His comfort, and His healing. Well, those are my thoughts!
Posted by: tom at May 28, 2004 09:18 AMi think that this week i'm being "carried" by the people here at SALT. i am still jobless and trying to stay hopeful, but i think that without these guys, i wouldn't be able to carry on a day. thanks you guys!
Posted by: naomi at June 2, 2004 10:33 PM