Faithful Friends

          “When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven”” (Mark 2:1–5 NAS95).
          This paralytic was blessed to have faithful friends.  They were faithful enough to be alert for an opportunity to help a friend in need.  They were faithful enough to make the effort to take him where he needed to be.  They were faithful enough to refuse to let some obstacles stand between their friend and the help he needed.  When they couldn’t get to Jesus through a door or window, they created their own access point!
          Note that nothing is said regarding the faith of the paralytic.  It is possible that his own faith was at a low point.  Perhaps he had given up any hope of life ever being any different.  The burdens of life (health or otherwise) can suck the faith out of a person.  But, thankfully, hope is linked not only to the faith of the one in need but also to the faith of those who rally around him or her.  It was the faith of the paralytic’s  friends that Jesus noticed and acted upon.
          Let me remind us all to surround ourselves with faithful friends.  The time will come when our own faith will waver and that is when we need friends with enough faith to carry us to Jesus.  Find faithful friends who will do whatever is necessary in your time of need.  Be a faithful friend to those in your sphere of influence who could use the help.

God loves you!
Mike