During our Friendship Month, I did not just limit my studies to the heart’s qualities that friends of GOD must have; I also considered what true friends do for one another. There’s a passage that has greatly inspired me in that respect.
Mk 2.1-5, “And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
These four men were the paralytic’s friends - as we learn elsewhere. This story highlights their determination to see their friend healed. They had resolved in their heart that enough was enough and their friend had suffered enough. They discussed the matter between themselves; went to their friend; grabbed him –and his mat- and then, made their way to Jesus. Nothing could/would stop them: neither the crowd nor the roof. “Come shine, come rain, Jesus must see our friend today and He’ll not just see him; He must do something about his condition. He must heal him. We are not carrying him and his bed back. This paralysis ends today!” These are the kind of friends that GOD likes and that’s why He gave them more than what they came looking for. On top of physical healing, their friend also received forgiveness for his sins (= salvation). Praise GOD!
Very often, when we decide to take/carry people (parents, friends, neighbours, colleagues, fellow citizens, brethren etc.) or situations before the LORD, we usually tend to abandon them on the way (cease to pray) after the first obstacles. There is no greater love than to give one’s life for one’s friends (Jn 15:14). Let’s not give up praying before GOD’s intervention in our favour and in favour of those (or that which) we are praying for.
Have a great and glorious week in Him. May He bless you with amazing things as you grow in your friendship with Him.
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