Mark 2:2-5 What will your friends do for you?

One of the most popular stories of Jesus performing a miracle is that of Him healing a paralyzed man who was lowered down into His presence from a hole in the roof. I’m sure you’ve heard this at least once in your life.

“Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:2-5 NLT)

[pullquote align=”left”]Common: Friends who will bail-out on you when troubled times come are nothing more than common.[/pullquote]

Nonetheless, what you may not have heard or considered is that the paralyzed guy was carried to the location by four other guys [his friends]. When they made it to the entrance, it was so crowded they could not get close enough to enter in. At this point, it should have seemed pretty hopeless that they would ever reach the presence of Jesus. Not giving up, they were determined to get their friend before Jesus so they climbed the roof, dug a hole, and lowered him down. Jesus seeing, their faith, was so moved that he forgave the man’s sin and healed him.

[pullquote align=”right”]No-longer-common: True friends are willing to carry you and your load no matter what the distance or obstacle.[/pullquote]

Here’s the question I have for you, how many friends do you have that are willing to carry you when you are unable to carry yourself?