Taking Our Friends to Jesus

And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, He said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? "But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,"--He said to the paralytic--"I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home." Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.   Luke 5:18-25

We should all have a friend or two that bear   resemblance to the men in this story.

These four men (numbered in the gospel of Mark) heard of the famous one called Jesus, and believed He could heal their paralyzed friend.

They carried the man on his mat,  battling obstacles and crowds, all in anticipation of placing their friend before Jesus.

When they found that they would not succeed in fighting the masses of people for an audience with Jesus, they climbed atop the roof, somehow managing to take their crippled friend along.   

Once they reached the roof, the men dug an opening in it, and lowered the paralytic man to the great healer they had heard so much about.

We know their confidence in Jesus was great, for scripture says that when Jesus saw the faith of the four friends, He looked at the man and said “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”  And a few moments later he commanded “Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home”.

These men were those willing to sacrifice their time and energy in order to take their friend to Jesus.

We too should be willing to sacrifice our time and energy to take our friends to Jesus in prayer.  

This life can be hard.  We may not be physically paralyzed, but heartache and sickness, sorrow and grief can abound here on earth.  

Everyone needs individuals in their life who will steadfastly battle to bring them (and their needs) before Jesus.

We need friends like these men for those hours when we are too sick, too discouraged, or too weak to bring ourselves before the throne of God.  

This story reminds me of how important it is to faithfully battle in prayer for those I love. 

It also reminds me to be grateful for those in my life that faithfully carry me in prayer when I cannot take another step.

…and pray for one another so that you may be healed.  The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.  James 5:16