Just then some men came, carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and set him down before Him [Jesus]. Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the roof titles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus. Seeing their faith He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” (Luke 5:18-20)
Have you ever experienced paralysis in your life? The kind of paralysis where one debilitating episode comes after the other. Your body aches all over, even though your muscles have long stopped working. You struggle to pick yourself up off the ground, but to no avail.
And then you hear that there is a man in town who performs miracles. He goes by the name of Jesus, some are even calling him the Son of God. Every fiber of your being knows that your healing lies within the building that is close enough to hit with a stone…that is, if you could throw a stone.
And as you lie there simply defeated, your friends walk in and gently place you on a stretcher. They inform you that they are taking you to meet this Jesus. Just as your hope begins to soar, it is immediately dashed as the realization that the chances of your friends getting you inside the jam-packed building to where your healing lies are slim to none. There is not an inch of room to spare.
But your friends are not ordinary. No. They are extraordinary.
They look at the seemingly impossible situation and find a way to climb the walls with you on the stretcher, remove part of the roof, and lower you into the room where the Son of God is teaching. But you didn’t end up just anywhere in the room. Amazingly, you are placed at the very spot you need to be: in front of the only One who is capable of forgiving your sins and healing your limp body.
This is all because of your friends, who saw your need as greater than their own. You know that they each have things they would like to ask of the Son of God. They could use miracles in their own lives, but their selflessness and desire to see you restored took precedence. They are faithful friends.
And Jesus, seeing their faith, grants the healing and forgiveness that you have desperately hoped for since the paralysis hit. You will never be the same. Your healing came because of the self-sacrificial love of your friends who were willing to do whatever it took to place you directly in front of your Savior.
Now that you are healed, will you do the same for others? Are you willing to be a faithful friend?
Lord, would You allow me to be a faithful friend to others, pointing them to the only One who can heal them and forgive them of their sins, Jesus? Thank You also for the friends that You have placed in my life who show me Your love continually.
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