The crowd was so thick in and around the home where Jesus was teaching that no one could get through the door, or even close.  Four friends had carried a paralyzed man on a pallet a long way to see Jesus.  They surely were not giving up now!  They managed to transport their friend to the roof and remove a portion of the roof.  They carefully lowered the man on the pallet down through the hole in the roof and positioned him right at the feet of Jesus. A stillness came over the crowd.  Only the sound of the creaking ropes and the still man’s breathing could be heard.

Jesus looked up into the sunlight pouring through the roof and saw the anticipation on the faces of the four friends.  He saw their faith.  In that moment Jesus proclaimed the man was healed. (Mark 2:5).  The man picked up his bed and walked home. The entire crowd stood motionless, awestruck.  The four friends looked at each other, bursting with joy, their hearts pounding, “WHO ME?  My faith?”  Wow!…the power of faith filled friends in the eyes of God!

Preparing for our family gathering, my granddaughter Molly, age 8, made matching bracelets for each of the 12 family members to wear.  I love how carefully her small hands worked her craft as she anticipated and estimated the size of every wrist.  In weaving each bracelet she wove us all together in unity and love.  There was something about her faith filled intention that created a bond between us all.  It happened the moment she placed a bracelet on each of our wrists.  Her eyes met ours and her smile said it all.  We all knew the bond was real.

Powerful moments of communion brought about by love.

Jesus said, “I call you friends….Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.”  (John 15:13-15).

Pondering…

How far would we go to carry a friend to Jesus?

Who would be the four friends who carry you to Jesus?  Why did you choose these persons?

nk