THE FOUR FRIENDS
Read it
Mark 2:1-5
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:1-5)
Discover It
After Jesus had been baptized and tested in the wilderness, his ministry took off in a whirlwind of preaching, teaching, healing, and delivering people from the demon oppression. By the time of the events here in Mark 2, he had called the first of his disciples. Crowds were now following him - some out of devotion, some from curiosity, and others were enemies of Jesus, hoping to find something by which they could use to topple him from his place of popularity. Multitudes from up to 90 miles away surrounded the house where Jesus was teaching and healing. Suddenly from above, the sound of walking and digging. Then light broke through a large hole in the roof. Four men were bringing their paralyzed friend to Jesus, but when they could not get through the crowd, they took him to the roof, dug through the ceiling, and lowered him down right in front of Jesus. They would do anything to get their friends to the Lord. How about you?
Ask It
1. If Jesus were here, physically near today, how hard would you try to see him, to be in his presence?
2. If Jesus were here physically in our city today, and you had a friend in need of healing, how hard would you try to get him or her into the presence of the Lord?
3. Jesus is just as real now as he was then. And he is with us always through his Holy Spirit. How hard are you trying to get friends and neighbors to experience his presence today?
Live It
1. Make it a priority to come into the presence of Jesus. You do this today by reading His word, the Bible, by praying, by yielding your life to his spirit daily, and by obeying him moment by moment.
2. Make it a priority to bring your friend to Jesus. You do this today by telling them the Good News about Jesus, by telling them your story of how Christ makes your life full and meaningful, and praying for your friends and neighbors to be saved.
3. Rejoice when you see Jesus see and heal others. As we read further in Mark 2, we see that the paralyzed man was forgiven and healed. And today Jesus will “save to the uttermost” anyone who comes before him by faith. Praise the Lord!
Pray It
Lord, we come before you with concern for our unsaved friends. We lift them up to you, knowing that you are the God of salvation and healing, and nothing is impossible for you. Please open their hearts to receive your love and grace. Let your Holy Spirit move mightily in their lives, drawing them closer to you and illuminating your path of salvation and healing. Help them to see the truth of your Word and the beauty of your sacrifice for their redemption. We ask that you break down every barrier and stronghold and help them to you and the fullness of your salvation. AMEN.