The paralyzed friend

For the full context of this post read Mark 2:1-12.

Both Matthew and Mark record an account of four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. The friends carried the paralytic on a mat to the place that Jesus was teaching. When they arrived, there was such a crowd that they could not get to Jesus, but the four friends did not give up. They went onto the roof and lowered their friend to Jesus. Jesus healed the paralyzed man and forgave his sins. The man walked home with his buddies.

There have been seasons in my life in which I have been the paralyzed man. Circumstances of life have metaphorically paralyzed me and left me unable to move forward. It was in those moments that I needed others to carry me to Jesus so that I could walk again. Here is my experience.

When I was metaphorically paralyzed by life, I could not change my circumstances on my own. Every part of me was paralyzed, not just my legs to move forward, but also my voice to cry out for help. If you have a friend who is paralyzed by life, don’t wait for them to ask for help. Their voice might also be paralyzed. They need you to step in and take action whether they ask for help or not.

When I was metaphorically paralyzed by life, I was dead weight. If you have a friend who is paralyzed by life, gather a circle of friends around him. It will take more than one person to leverage that which has paralyzed him, and it will take a group of people who are committed to work together to carry the load.

When I was metaphorically paralyzed by life, there were a lot of obstacles that could have prevented me from getting to Jesus. If you have a friend who is paralyzed by life, don’t let the obstacles stop you from bringing that friend to Jesus. Carry that person through all of the obstacles. Take them away from the crowds of people who would prevent them from getting to Jesus. Drill through the barriers, and present that friend to Jesus.

When I was metaphorically paralyzed by life, Jesus not only restored strength to my legs to walk again, but he restored strength to my voice to speak again. Best of all he forgave my sins. In my healing, I believe that God has given me an opportunity to be the friend who carries another to Jesus. I believe he has given me an opportunity to use my voice to speak for those who cannot. You may be metaphorically paralyzed by life. It’s a temporary paralysis. Allow others to circle around you, take you away from the obstacles, and carry you to Jesus. You may be like me, and God has healed that which has paralyzed you. Use the strength that he has given you to carry others back to him.