5/25/10 Mark 2:1-5 Carrying our Friends to Jesus

1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

John Calvin abridged: The glory of this miracle was very remarkable.  A man whose limbs were useless, lying on a bed, lowered by cords suddenly rises up in health, vigor, and agility.  The scribes were offended that Christ claimed to have the power and authority to forgive sins; while Christ intended to confirm that authority with a sign. "When Jesus saw their faith"- It is God alone, who knows faith. Their labor gave evidence of their faith. How much  benefit do people get from the faith of others?  Abraham's faith helped his posterity as his covenant was offered to him and his seed.  The grace of God is thus extended to believer's children's children even before they were born. The prayers for the salvation of unbelievers, and the indirect blessing of unbelievers can be given because of believers.  Yet, if the paralytic had no faith of his own, his sins would not have been forgiven. "Their" faith also includes the paralytic as well as those who carried him. 

Thoughts: Friends carry friends to Jesus.  If the friends had no faith, the paralytic would not have had the chance to walk or be forgiven.  Part of our duty is not just to be self-centered, but to look for those who need to be carried to Jesus, and pick up their cot and carry them. 

Prayer: Give me eyes to see and strength to do your work.  Help me to be a friend to the friendless and helpless and carry them to you, O Lord.  Help me to persevere in bringing others to you.