Good friends worth weight in gold
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
To this paralytic, good friends were worth their weight in gold.
In reality, no precious metal found on earth compares to what these friends meant to this man. Good friends who truly care about you can make all the difference. They are there to enjoy the good times and provide a shoulder to lean on during hardships.
Can we be that friend to others during today’s fast-paced world? Can we take the time? Can we make the time? Many times, we’re just too busy with our own lives! There is just so much going on! Social media and cell phones have robbed us of in-person contact.
It’s important for us to push past those obstacles and be the friend we need to be. There are many who are hurting, lonely and in need.
The paralytic referenced earlier had many needs and faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles. His four friends were the best friends anyone could ask for. Sure, they probably had other obligations that beautiful day.
Honey-do lists, I’m assuming, were not relegated to our day and age.
But those four had major expectations for their friend that day. These were needs of the utmost importance. The second chapter of Mark tells us it was noised abroad that Jesus was in a particular house that day.
In other words, Jesus – the one who was healing and forgiving – was at a location within their grasp.
This was the answer for their friend! Let’s get him to Jesus. They understood Jesus could make all things well.
Therefore, they were bound and determined to make that happen at whatever cost.
Are we that willing today to assist those in need of Jesus? Will we put forth that type of effort to ensure their needs are met? Will we carry their burdens? For that matter, will we literally carry them when they can’t move?
Will we carry their weight? It required all four friends to carry that paralytic man on his bed for who knows how long a distance.
They made sure they went the distance for him. They understood they couldn’t change him, but they could bring him to somebody (Jesus) who could.
Their ultimate goal was just to get him there. If they could get him there, life-changing events would occur. That is what they believed in their hearts. It motivated them to swift action that day.
Jesus is the bridge to the Father – the one mediator between men and God – and these men had to transport their friend to that bridge.
Yes, his physical condition was perhaps hanging in the balance. If they could get him there, Jesus would heal him; they believed in their hearts.
But there was so much more to the equation. Removing his physical ailment was important, but even greater was his soul condition. Jesus has the power to forgive sins and establish us in a relationship with God that provides eternal life with Him.
The trek was perhaps a long one for the men carrying their friend. Each of the four likely carried their corner of the bed. They moved together in the process with one ambition – a Jesus encounter.
When they arrived at the packed house where Jesus was, they couldn’t get in because of the crowd. Some of those in the house were skeptics. They actually prevented others who truly wanted Jesus from accessing the place.
But when there is a great need and you have traveled far and expended energy, you will not be denied. They found a way for their friend. They removed some roof tiling and let him down from up there into Jesus’s midst. As they believed in their hearts, it was done for them. Their friend was healed, and his sins were forgiven.
Now, let’s talk about their walk home. The Bible doesn’t say anything about that trek, but surely it was one of great joy and victory. Rather than requiring to be carried, their friend was now walking himself. He was likely walking, leaping, and praising the Lord! They were all rejoicing in God.
Sam Kaufman pastors The Church of God at 405 13th Ave. N in Alex City. Contact him at 432 266-0154.