Have you ever needed help? Have you had a friend who needed YOUR help? Maybe a little help or maybe a lot? There is an account in the gospels of a man sick with the palsy (a paralysis of some kind). This lame man’s friends went to great lengths to bring him face to face with Jesus Christ. “And again (Jesus) entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that He was in the house. 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. And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 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. When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” Mark 2:1-5. Here was a person who physically needed the help of his friends. He was hindered, by his illness, from doing things for himself. What life lessons are there for us in this passage?
Lessons for the Sufferer:
*God’s hand is faithful. His ways are not our ways nor His thoughts our thoughts, but He had a purpose for the man sick with a palsy. God’s amazing plan is easy for us to read about in the gospel accounts, but it was totally hidden to that paralyzed man of long ago.
*God’s timing is not our timing. The Bible does not tell us how long this man was sick, but we do know this- he was sick longer than he wanted to be!
*True friends help us in our time of need. They bring us before the Lord in prayer and encourage us to meet with our Savior.
*Jesus is our Healer and Deliverer. He is the Friend of friends.
Lessons for the Friends:
*Remember the sufferer. How long did this sick man lay ill in his house? Days? Months? Years? Out of sight should not be out of mind.
*Wait with the sufferer. I have to think that friends such as these had sat by this man’s bed many a time. Can you imagine the day one of them had the idea to take him to Jesus? How long did they continue with him until the opportunity for healing presented itself? As long as it took.
*Have faith on the sufferer’s behalf. That is what we see in Luke 5:20, “And when He saw their faith…” When we are low in body or spirit, we need our friends to believe in God’s power on our behalf. This strengthens our own faith.
*Labor for the sufferer. His friends carried him, hauled him up on the rooftop, broke up the roof, and lowered him down. This is hands-on ministry. It’s fixing meals and giving rides and doing laundry and sending flowers. It’s leaving a gift at the door and checking in on the phone. It’s available, flexible, and creative.
*Bring the sufferer into God’s presence. This is their deepest need. Pray for them. And when you are with them, be a reflection of His presence as well- His peace, His mercy, His kindness.
Lessons from the Master:
*Jesus greatest concern is our spiritual healing. “And Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” Matthew 9:2b
*Jesus had mercy on the sick man’s infirmity. “I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.” Mark 2:11
*All that was done was done for the glory of God. “And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.” Mark 2:12 ~V.K.S.
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