Devotion - Thursday, March 13

I have always taken great comfort from the story in March 2 of the healing of the paralytic.  What is unique about this story is that this man is carried to Jesus on a pallet.  When they arrive, the house is so full that they cannot get close to Jesus.  They go up on the roof, make an opening, and lower the pallet so their friend can been seen by Jesus.

The paralytic had not hope of getting to Jesus, with out the help of his friends.  None.  That is the first thing which strikes me.  I wonder, what chances do I have, without someone to carry me?  Particularly on those occasions when my heart is heavy or my burdens too overwhelming.  This man is not the only one who needs someone else to carry him to the place where Jesus can attend to him.

The story tells us "when Jesus saw their faith," he heals the man.  The "their" is not precisely identified, but it is surely more than a reference to the paralytic himself.  The faith of the pallet bearers figures into the response of Jesus.  There are times when my heart is so heavy that I cannot even pray.  The faith may reside deep within me, but it struggles to find expression.  Those who bear me up, those who carry me to the place where Jesus can attend to my wounds, their faith brings healing to me.

Part of my Lenten discipline is to give thanks for and to those who have carried me.  Another step in that discipline is to realize the opportunities when I have the opportunity to carry another.  We are not in this alone.  And our end is not determined solely by our own individual actions,