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And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. Mark 2:4
D.L. MOODY
These four friends were terribly in earnest.
They let the bed on which the man was lying, down into the room. They laid their friend right at the feet of Jesus Christ; a good place to lay him, was it not?
Perhaps you have a skeptical son or an unbelieving husband, or some other member of your family, that scoffs at the Bible and sneers at Christianity. Lay them at the feet of Jesus, and He will honor your faith.
ERWIN LUTZER
Jesus was always using His miracles as a teaching opportunity. He always illustrated something other than the physical healing, and that is clearly seen in this passage. We read, “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’” (Mark 2:5). Jesus used the occasion not just for a physical healing, but also a spiritual healing of forgiveness. Notice in verse 6, it was evidently the faith of his friends that prompted Jesus to respond to this man’s need. There are those among us who are distracted, skeptical, and often bound by sin. In a sense, we have to believe for them as well as ourselves. Yes, we have to go to Jesus on behalf of others, and we should have the determination of these four men who spared no effort to get their friend to Him.
Let me emphasize that we need to think of ways to share the good news of the gospel with others; we need to help those bound by the paralysis of sin to see that there is someone who can set them free. Let us intercede for them, befriend them, and be willing to expend effort to lead them to Jesus.
We all know someone we can help get to Jesus.
PRAYER
Father, for the sake of your glory, bring to mind those I must help come to Jesus through my efforts, my witness, and my love.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Who are the unbelievers in your life that you could minister to?
Think about your relationship with these individuals, what are your gifts and how could you creatively minster and proclaim God’s word to them?