How far would you go to ensure a friend found Jesus?
We read in Mark 2 that four friends were determined to carry a lame friend to Jesus. The friend was carried on a blanket or mat between them.
Imagine the friends telling him they knew a man who could help- finally! He just had to go see this Jesus. Did the friend want to go initially or did his buddies spend time convincing him, yes, we have heard many accounts: this Jesus is the real deal.
At any rate, they hurry him toward Jesus, but when they arrive, there is no path to Jesus. Everyone and their brother in Capernaum have shown up to listen to Jesus’ words. They can’t even enter the house where He is teaching, let alone get anywhere close to Him.
These four guys loved their friend. This might be their only chance! They climbed atop the home and began to pull away at the roof, to make a hole to lower their friend through.
They were not taking any chances! They wanted to ensure that Jesus would meet their dear friend.
While the story continues and Jesus does indeed meet their friend, forgives his sins, and heals him so he can walk, my heart lingers on the conviction of his friends.
I want to be that kind of friend.
I want to love like those friends.
I want to bless like those friends.
How about you?
How far would you go to ensure a friend meets Jesus?
I want to believe I would scale any structure necessary, disassemble a roof and lower someone down so Jesus could not ignore.
But then I recall when I kept quiet in a public setting because people who did not share my faith were present. Or I wanted to encourage but was unsure how my faith-filled words would be received. I recall when I wanted to pray bold prayers but could only think of their unbelieving attitude as I shared my astonishment over something new I learned in Scripture.
Our job is not to convince others to believe. Our job is to take them to Jesus.
Physically.
Prayerfully.
Peacefully.
Jesus knows. He will never ignore our efforts. He promises His word will not return void.
We only need to carry our friends and family to Him, whether it be on a mat or in a heartfelt prayer. We get to scale the physical and emotional walls so they just need to agree to meet Him.
Will you join me in praying for the strength and faith to do just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to be a friend who stops at nothing to carry someone to You. Please show me the how and when of such endeavors. If it’s through words spoken or written to them, or words whispered to You on their behalf, remind me of Your promises. Specifically Your Word will never return void. Thank You for loving my people even more than I. In Jesus’ name, amen.