The Friends of the Paralytic – Whose Faith Saved their Friend (Mark 2:1-12 Devotional)

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 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. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 2:1-5 ESV

10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!

Mark 2:10-12 ESV

We know we are saved by our faith. Faith has the power to change us and our lives. But have you wondered how your faith could impact others?  Today’s passage reveals the power of one’s faith in changing the lives of others.

The Bible did not mention the relationship of those four men to the paralytic, but most people believe they were friends. The man was unfortunately paralyzed yet blessed to have four good and genuine friends with fervent faith.  These friends knew he was sick and desperately needed the healing of Jesus, and they were so determined to help him against all odds. Though names were not disclosed, these four friends’ genuine love for their friend and strong faith in Jesus was made known through their persistence and actions. Their journey of taking their friend to Jesus was full of obstacles, but it did not deter them.  They did not turn away and say, “let’s just come back the next day”. Instead, when the crowd blocked the door, they fought their way up the roof carrying their friend. They dug and made an opening on the roof just so they could let down their friend’s mat with one mission in mind – bring their friend to Jesus. Think about the mess they created in the house and the embarrassment caused by the unwanted attention.  Yet there were the eyes of Jesus.  His eyes were on these men. 

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  

MARK 2:5

Jesus saw their faith! This passage mentioned nothing about the faith of the paralyzed man. For all we know, he may have had no faith, but Jesus was moved by the radical faith and action of the man’s friends.   When Jesus saw the friends’ faith, He spoke to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”.  He not only healed the man but also forgave his sins!  This man was saved by the faith of his friends! 

Like the friends we just read,  we all know people who are hurt or paralyzed with all kinds of needs.  Where do we bring these people comfort, healing, hope, and forgiveness? The friends in this story tell us to do whatever is necessary to bring them in and lay them before Jesus.  

I thank God for giving me friends who would stay with me through thick and thin and carry me to Jesus through prayer when I am too weak to go to Him myself.  I cannot count how many times Jesus had saved me because of the faith of my loving friends.  The Lord can and will make a difference in someone’s life because of our faith. So do not mind the labor and messiness of digging through the roof to carry a weak or paralyzed friend to Jesus.  It could get muddy and dusty, but the eyes of Jesus can see through the clouds of dust and find those standing in faith.  When He sees your faith, hear Him say,

according to your faith, let it be done to you”.

MATTHEW 9:29

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