“One day some Pharisees and experts in the Law of Moses sat listening to Jesus teach. They had come from every village in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. God had given Jesus the power to heal the sick, and some people came carrying a man on a mat because he could not walk. They tried to take him inside the house and put him in front of Jesus. But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So, they went up on the roof, where they removed some tiles and let the mat down in the middle of the room.” (Luke 5:17-19) Contemporary English Version)
As the songwriter said, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” That’s so true! Keep that in mind this Sunday morning. But also keep in mind that most of us, if not all of us, have a friend who for some reason or the other cannot make the move to come to Jesus. Such friends are just as paralyzed as the man in the opening text, but from a spiritual perspective, and they need a friend of Jesus like you to get them to the special presence of the Lord. And yes, just as the Lord was in the presence of the Old Testament tabernacle, He is present in the assembly of the saints, in congregations like your own.
If you call yourself a friend of these people, many men, who cannot make it to Jesus on their own, you can be the one to get them there. You can get them past the obstacle of a thinking they will just run into people who are religious and not real, in terms of faith in Christ, but you find a way to get them to Jesus and testify from your experience that Jesus is real! You are the one who knows that Jesus has the power to heal sin-sick souls. He healed you, didn’t He? Well, bring your friend to Jesus. You are the one that knows that the church is diverse, salvation is for all, so can convince him or her that regardless of their “village,” coming to the house, the church house in this case, where Jesus’ word is being spoken is what really counts, and you can be counted on to help them get there. Race and ethnicity and economic status and nationality should not keep anyone from coming to Jesus. But if this friend of yours, paralyzed by woes, wrongdoing fascination, and they are wrapped up in a faithless life, he/she needs the help you can give to get to Jesus. If your friend has a problem centered around thinking that opposes the composition of the church, you convince them that Jesus came to save the whole world, and you generate a sense of urgency withing yourself and get them to Jesus. Whatever the obstacle is, be a friend like the four men carrying the paralytic man to Jesus and get your friend to Jesus. Look! Listen! Learn! What I am saying applies to you, that is, if you call yourself a friend.
I got up early this morning, a little after midnight, early on this Sunday morning, hoping it is not too late for you to demonstrate your friendship and find a way to get someone to Jesus this Sunday morning. If you don’t read this until later, after service, work on it throughout the week.
And, I have to say this, I mean I am moved to say this: if you were deciding to stay away from church this morning, missing out on the special presence of the Lord with no acceptable excuse, let me be a friend to you and encourage you to attend your local church. As you will see in the closing verses, Jesus is a friend, and a better outcome awaits you and our friends who get to be in the special presence of Jesus. Enjoy worship! Be blessed!
“When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the experts began arguing, “Jesus must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you thinking this? Is it easier for me to tell this man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk? But now you will see that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” Jesus then said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk home.” At once the man stood up in front of everyone. He picked up his mat and went home, giving thanks to God.” (Luke 5:20-25 Contemporary English Version)
Mark L. King