When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. (Mark 2:5)
The Bible is full of examples of how to live and how not to live. We know of many great “Heroes of the Faith” from the pages of God’s Word. Some, God chooses to tell us a great deal about; others, God doesn’t even give us their names. These people may not be the Josephs, the Daniels, the Peters, or the Pauls, but we can still learn a great deal from a few details of their lives that God chooses to tell us.
In the last couple of weeks, we’ve discussed two different Old Testament women who were put in similar situations, yet they each reacted very differently to them. Now let’s turn to the New Testament for some more examples of everyday people just faithfully doing what they were supposed to do:
The Four Friends
And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. (Mark 2:1)
During His earthly ministry, Jesus traveled all over the land of Israel to reach the lost and preach repentance unto them. On more than one occasion, Jesus entered Capernaum to preach, teach, and heal. In one such instance, people quickly spread the news that Jesus was in town and was preaching in a certain house. Many people came to hear Him.
And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. (Mark 2:2)
People flocked in droves to that house to hear what Jesus had to say; even several of the religious rulers made an appearance. We can liken this situation, perhaps, to a particular church holding a revival meeting with a famous preacher and everyone wanting to be there to hear what the preacher has to say.
It must have been standing room only in the place! It could not have been comfortable, but the people didn’t mind. They only wanted to hear Jesus speak…and maybe witness a miracle or two. Regardless of their reasons for showing up, they filled the house until it could hold no more. It is easy for us to imagine that a crowd of people also gathered outside the house, hoping to peek in a window or doorway, hoping to catch a little of what Jesus had to say.
And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. (Mark 2:3)
While all the people were so concerned with getting themselves to the house where Jesus was, four men in town had a very different, and much less selfish, concern. They knew it was the perfect opportunity to bring their friend to Jesus.
This friend had been sick with palsy for some time, most likely many years. The man may have sought treatments from many physicians to no avail. These friends had probably spent a great deal of time with this man, providing for his needs and taking care of him in his sickness.
It is important to note that these friends could have left the man behind and simply gone their way to be in the house close to Jesus. Instead, their first thoughts were for their friend who was sick. They missed an opportunity to be in the middle of the “in crowd” so to speak to take care of their friend’s needs.
So, they made him as comfortable as they could on his bed, picked it up, and carried him to Jesus.
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: (Mark 2:4a)
To say that these men were determined is an understatement. Imagine carrying this man across town only to find that there was no way to reach Jesus. The selfishness of the people already at the house is very heartbreaking when you think about it. Here come four men bearing their sick friend, wanting only to present him to Jesus so that he can be healed, and no one moves out of the way. How sad!
However, these friends did not let that stop them from getting this man to Jesus. They went around the side of the house, found the steps leading to the roof, and carried their friend up to the top. They were going to tear up the very roof of the house to help this sick man!
…and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. (Mark 2:4b)
This part of the account is always a bit humorous. Picture yourself standing in the house listening to Jesus when, out of nowhere, bits of straw and dirt start falling on your head! You look up to see tiles being removed from the ceiling and sunlight starting to shine through. Then, you see four men up there; they begin lowering something down to the floor right in front of Jesus; you soon realize that it is a sick man lying on a bed.
Obviously, Jesus knew this was going to happen; He probably didn’t even miss a beat in His preaching while all of this was occurring. Yet can you imagine how the people felt? Or maybe how the owner of the house felt, seeing his roof being torn to pieces? They may have stood there wondering how Jesus was going to react. Would He be upset at the interruption? The religious leaders were probably outraged at the very thought of someone doing something like that while they were addressing the crowd. However, Jesus surprised them all…
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. (Mark 2:5)
Jesus simply looks at the sick man and tells him that his sins are forgiven. No judgment, no outrage, just glorious forgiveness.
Did you catch the first part of the verse? “When Jesus saw their faith…” Not his faith, their faith…the faith of the friends, not the faith of the man who needed to be healed. These wonderful friends made a difference in the life of the sick man because of their faith in Jesus.
…(he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. (Mark 2:10b-11)
Jesus not only forgave the man, but He also healed him.
And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. (Mark 2:12)
Because Jesus healed the sick man, others believed in Jesus as well and glorified God.
What We Can Learn
The focus of this account from God’s Word (also recorded in Luke chapter 5) often shifts to the man’s healing and the religious leaders’ reactions to it; however, it is important to understand the significance of these four friends. These men stopped at nothing to get their friend to Jesus; they knew that He was the only one Who could make a difference in their friend’s life.
We all know people who need Christ to make a difference in their lives. What are we doing to help bring them to Jesus? We can’t physically carry them into the presence of God’s Son, but we can spiritually carry them to Him through prayer.
When was the last time we fervently sought Jesus for a friend? When was the last time we were determined to stop at nothing to see God answer our prayer? These men were “nobodies,” but God used them to make a great difference because of their great faith. Will someone one day be able to say the same of us?
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:15-16)
To read the full passage of this Bible account, please click here.