Everybody needs a few "faith" friends around :)

So, Tye and I picked up a Bible Reading plan from church so that we can read thru the New Testament together this year. We started a bit late, since neither of us were in church last week, but still - we're committed so we believe we'll get the hang of it. Over the next couple days, we'll just do double reading, and catch up by the weekend!

Anyway - today's reading was Mark 1& 2. And while Reading in Mark 2, it hit me. Everyone needs a few faith friends. So as Tye read the passage, I had this movie going on in my head... 


There's a bunch of people gathered around on any given day, all listening intently to what was being said. Outside there's this paralyzed man, and his 4 buddies. There's no way into the house, the crowd is not moving, and no one is letting these guys get ahead of them in line to see Jesus. 


And you're lying on a mat. Completely paralyzed. You can't move, you can't feed yourself, you can't dress yourself, you can't even change your "soiled" (for lack of a better term) clothing, and you know your answer is inside... but you can't get there. Not on your own.So how many of our "Christian" friends would be like... yeah Dude, we're sorry but we can't get in there. Too many people, too much going on, too hard to get around them. Sorry we couldn't help you. 


You know the Bible never indicates that this man said anything. Or pleaded with his friends to find a way. As far as we know, He may not have shouted, or begged, or cried, or anything. We kind of get a clue at the end of V5 that he may have even felt guilt ridden and dejected, and may have told his friends "It's ok, take me home".

Now granted, I'm just imagining here... but just imagine with me for a minute. 

• 4 guys, A mat, and a paralyzed man. 
• A large Crowd
• The Son of God inside
• A hut/house/tent (whatever) 

Someone looks around and said, "well if we can't get him in the door, or a window, we'll just lower him thru the roof." uh... really?

Mat guy is probably thinking how the heck are you going to get me ON the roof, and then down thru the roof? I imagine one of two things. Either he trusted his friends implicitly OR he freaked out. I'd freak out. My answer might be on the other side of the roof, but it takes my friends to get me there... and I don't know if I'd have faith enough to trust it. AND, they just happened to have the tools with them to cut thru a roof? Ok maybe it's a mud hut roof, but I can't believe it was a quick and easy task... can you? 

Now, take a moment and imagine with me for a minute you're the crowd INSIDE the house. You're sitting there at the master's knee, OR you're across the room barely able to see his face, and suddenly there's a scratching sound. Then a sawing sound, and then all the roof materials basically fall on your head. Well maybe not ALL the roof materials, but I imagine dust, debris and some roof materials are landing on them. I imagine a lot of bewilderment and wondering what on earth! 


And the home owner? Yeah... right! I'd be outside screaming at them to knock it off, threatening to call the police, anyone if they don't quit cutting a hole in my roof! And then... as if NOTHING ELSE was weird already, Mat guy appears being lowered down into the middle of the room. 

These "Faith Friends" - are strong, dedicated, determined, disciplined and they are going to get their answer. Period. They came for something, and they are NOT leaving until they have it. (Hmm... wonder how many times I've meekly approached the throne for something, saw a crowd gathered around, and walked away... figuring it wasn't the right time? )

Now stop for a moment and think like a 20yr old young man. Because Tye made me laugh at this moment when he said "Mom, they were probably tired of changing his dirty diapers and were like nuh-uh dude... this stops today. You gotta get better cause man... this ain't cool!

LOL so whether Tye is right or not, you imagine he's onto something because in Verse 5 it says "when Jesus saw their faith".... and I'm guessing it was Mat Guys friends faith he was looking at. They did just climb a roof, cut a hole big enough to lower a man through it, and then, lower the guy down.

Jesus then says "your sins are forgiven you" - to the paralyzed man. So we assume it wasn't his Faith that was making him whole - he was downtrodden in guilt and condemnation!

Oh but isn't God good that when our friends intercede on our behalf we can STILL have victory? Mat guy walked out of that house... and I imagine that the crowd parted like the Red Sea when he stood up, brushed himself off, picked up his mat, and walked out of there. 

So who are your faith friends? Who holds you up when you're downtrodden? Who intercedes on your behalf and sees you through to your Victory?