A friend is a person who is willing to take me the way I am, but who is willing and able to leave me better than he found me.
Marvin J Ashton
In Mark chapter 2 we read:
1- And again he (Jesus) entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2- And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
4- And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5- When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
10- ... that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11- I say unto thee, Arise and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12- And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God...
2- And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
At this point in Christ's ministry, word had spread of His power and miracles. He entered into a home to preach and it was filled to overflowing. Four friends of a man stricken with the palsy had heard of Christ's power to heal and desired to bring their friend to the Savior.
3- And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne (carried) of four.
Seeing the crowded house, they realized that they would not be able to gain access to the Savior through the door. How did they solve their problem? What can we learn from their tenacity in helping their friend?
4- And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5- When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
10- ... that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11- I say unto thee, Arise and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12- And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God...
I love that this man was healed both spiritually and physically, because of the faith and tenacity of His friends. These two qualities mark the difference between a good friend, and the priceless friend. The best kind of friend is one who knows that full joy, peace and healing lie at the feet of the Savior and will do everything in his power to bring a loved one there. I thank my Father for the dear friends in my life who by their loving examples have led me to my Savior. I want to be that kind of a friend!
Next week: Matthew 5- The Sermon on the Mount!
Next week: Matthew 5- The Sermon on the Mount!
When I consider my life, I marvel at the blessing of good friends. How blessed we are for our relationships with fellow disciples of Christ!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, Carey. And you ARE that kind of friend. As I think about my life over the last 3 or so years, I think of several women that have truly touched me and urged me on and helped me to get to a place where I could walk with the Savior, instead of being carried, as it were. And although this process seems to happen over and over, I am thankful for those who continue to bless my life in this way. Thank you, Carey, for being one of these women, a true example of the believers, precious to me and certainly, precious to the Savior.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of this story in this way! That because of his FRIENDS, the man with the palsy was able to be healed. Thanks for this insight!
ReplyDeleteFriends are so essential to life. Thanks for being mine!