“And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:3-5).
The four men gathered, as they had for the past several years. They entered the house with a quiet knock, walked through the sparsely furnished room to the side of his bed. Quick greetings were made, and on to the purpose at hand. As they held hands around the man, one began to pray, then another, then another until all had petitioned the Lord on behalf of their friend.
Little was said as they began to express their reasons for needing to leave. One had to return back to work, he’d used his lunch hour to pray for his friend. Another, had a pressing engagement that required he get back to his store. The third had a new baby at home and was wanting to get back in time to see the little one before he left for his afternoon shift. The fourth? The fourth lingered.
The others could tell there was something on his mind, so they pressed him to share his thoughts.
He’d heard about a man named Jesus. Stories of miraculous healings, life-changing touches, a ministry of words that was bringing about peace and salvation. He wondered. No, he hesitated to mention his idea. But, he wondered if this Jesus could heal their friend.
The others had heard the same stories. They whispered. They scratched their heads. They paced the dirt floor back and forth. They forgot completely about their appointments and reasons to head out.
The crippled man on the bed leaned in on their conversation. Who was this they spoke of in hushed tones? Where had he come from, how long would he be in their town? Why hadn’t he heard about him? All of a sudden the mat he was lying on was being lifted, a friend on each corner. Across the room, the friends carried him, almost upending him as one reached to open the door and carry him into the day’s light. Past the baker’s shop. Around the crowd at the afternoon market. Up one street and down another until they began to slow because of the mass of people they’d come upon.
His legs may not have worked, but his ears were picking up the conversations of the men and women pressing up against the group of men. Jostling and careful maneuvering were required to keep him on the mat. As they rounded the corner of the house and took a look at the front entry, they paused. The quickly turned and looked for a side door. All this way for nothing? As they turned, one of the four quietly nodded with his head. They focused their attentions on the ladder leading up to the roof.
Would I have gone to the trouble? The inconvenience of a mid-week, drop everything, make arrangements for the kids, been-doing-it-for-a-long-while, prayer meeting? Would I have mentioned aloud what my heart was urging me to suggest? Would I have cancelled plans? Would I have put my back into it and grabbed a corner of the mat? Would I have pushed through the crowd? Would I have given up when the first glance told me there was no way?
Do I? When it comes to sending one more card? Fixing one more casserole? Dialing a phone number one more time? Looking over my calendar to see when a next treatment, doctor visit or surgery is scheduled? Am I re-arranging my comfortable, convenient life? Can I put myself aside long enough to show concern, love, care?
Opportunities abound for us to copy the behavior of these men. Circumstances of life provide us with many a ministry outreach. It takes only a quick glance around the church, the Sunday school classroom or parking lot to see many a mat-bound brother or sister in need.
We’ve heard the stories. We know the Man. We’ve experienced His touch, His forgiveness, His mercy. No matter the inconvenience, no matter the trouble—couldn’t we grab hold of a corner of someone’s mat and take this person to Him?
Malinda Edgell
Illinois
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for your pastor and his family as they prepare for this Lord’s Day.
