Reflection: "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."

In the Gospel of Mark, the paralytic was healed as a result of the faith of his friends. 

"When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that He was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and He preached the Word to them. They came bringing to Him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above Him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Child, your sins are forgiven.'" Mark 2:1-5

What an amazing faith the paralytic's friends had! We would all love to have friends like that and to be a friend like that! These friends had such love for their friend that they would go to the great length of opening up the roof to bring him to Jesus.

"But that you my know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth", he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."  Mark 2:10-12

Do you know someone who needs healing or someone who is far away from Jesus, maybe a friend or a loved one? What can you do to bring that person to Jesus? Can you be bold and tenacious like the paralytic's four friends? 

Sometimes, it is simply an invitation. The most important thing you can do is pray for that person. God will hear your prayers. He will answer them, sometimes right away, but most often, God waits. At just the right time, He will move. We are God's workers, but the growth is God's work.

"What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who causes the growth. The one who plants and one who waters are equal, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Jesus performed a miracle for the paralytic because his friend's had faith and acted on it. All acts of faith and love begin with prayer in the heart.

The paralytic was physically healed but Jesus did even more. He healed him spiritually by forgiving his sins. Jesus has authority to do this and He does more than any of us can imagine!  

Jesus wants to do this for you too and for those you pray for. Your faith makes a difference! When you pray, God's heart is moved. Never give up or become discouraged. The Lord is near. He will act when He desires. Be patient and wait; pray and persevere.

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12

Pray, pray, pray. Prayer shakes the Heart of God. Prayer is a spiritual work of mercy. Ask Jesus to stretch out His hand and heal you or your loved ones. Ask Him to increase your faith and pray with the confident trust of a child.

"This is My commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from My Father. It was not you who chose Me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name, He may give you. This I command you: love one another." John 15:12-17

Rise, pick up your mat and run to Jesus! Jesus is your friend and He is waiting to hear from you...
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