Tuesday, March 20, 2012

That's What Friends Are For

Mark 2: 3-4
"Some men came, bringing to him (Jesus) a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralysed man was lying on. "

The strength and the tenderness of these four men’s love for paralytic on the mat blows my mind and my heart apart. Firstly, they carried their friend to Jesus, hoping he’d be healed. And even when the way was blocked, they didn’t give up. They climbed onto the roof while still carrying the friend, then spent an unknown, but probably huge, amount of time digging through the roof and ceiling. After all this they gently lowered him to Jesus’ feet. The man was healed.

Friendship doesn’t get much better than that! Going wildly out of your way to bring someone into Jesus’ presence. Breaking down walls and ceilings and all things holding them back. Doing anything and everything you can, to connect someone hurting with the love of Christ. Stepping aside and letting Jesus heal and love and forgive more than you ever could. That is friendship. That is love.

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love always hopes. Love always perseveres. Love never gives up.

Whose mat are you carrying? 

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