Every time I read Mark 2:1-12, I am overcome with appreciation for those who have brought me to Jesus. Their faith, their dedication has made possible my salvation.
Mark 2 is the story of the paralytic whose friends carry him to Jesus. When they arrive at the house where he is teaching, they find that they cannot enter. They go up on the roof, remove the roof tiles, and lower the stretcher from the ceiling to Jesus.
What happens next is both expected, and a surprise. As they had expected, Jesus heals the man. The surprise is his words. The text says he did this, "when he saw their faith." (emphasis mine.) Their faith impressed Jesus. It was their faith which preceded the healing.
"Their" could include the man lying on the stretcher as well as those carrying it. But it certainly includes those carrying.
My appreciation is for those who carried me (sometimes literally, other times metaphorically) to the place where Jesus was found. My appreciation is for those who possessed the faith to trust that getting me in front of Jesus would result in my being made whole.
Sometimes, when I need Christ the most, it is tough for me to go to him. At those times I depend upon the prayers (the carrying) of others.
Sometimes, I find myself in the role of stretcher bearer - carrying those whose injuries or despair is so great they cannot take another step on their own.
Jesus makes note of the faith of the one is need of restoration as well as the faith of those who carry the stretcher. Remember this the next time you are asked, "Please pray for me." This is not a whimsical request nor is it a offer to be extended lightly.
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