Mark 2: 4 These men could not get near Jesus because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof of the house over where Jesus stood. Then they let down the bed with the sick man on it.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the sick man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Some teachers of the Law were sitting there. They thought to themselves, 7 “Why does this Man talk like this? He is speaking as if He is God! Who can forgive sins? Only One can forgive sins and that is God!”

8 At once Jesus knew the teachers of the Law were thinking this. He said to them, “Why do you think this in your hearts? 9 Which is easier to say to the sick man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your bed, and start to walk?’ 10 I am doing this so you may know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” He said to the sick man who could not move his body, 11 “I say to you, ‘Get up. Take your bed and go to your home.’” 12 At once the sick man got up and took his bed and went away. Everybody saw him. They were all surprised and wondered about it. They thanked God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

There are several things I love about this story. First, it seems that Jesus is impressed with this man’s friends. They had so much faith that Jesus would heal him that they climbed up on the roof, lifting the paralyzed man on his bed, cut a hole in the roof and lowered him down, right in front of Jesus. Of course, Jesus healed him!

I have wonderful friends. My friends will pray for me at the drop of a hat, and they have faith that our prayers will be answered. Christian friends are an amazing asset for a Christian.

Job had friends who meant well, but that was a different situation. They gave Job bad advice because they really did not know why these things were happening to him and they didn’t know how to make it stop.

Friends. God puts people in our lives to lift us up. To remind us that God IS in control. To rebuke and edify. To keep us on the “right path”. To give us Godly counsel.

Hebrews 10:25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Church, the place we assemble to learn, worship and encourage one another. Don’t miss the additional message here. “ And all the more as you see the DAY approaching,” As we get “closer” to the day when Jesus meets us in the clouds, God knew that we would need each other more than ever.

Lord, Thank you for my Godly friends. Thank you for a church full of sinners who love you and are your hands and feet here on earth. Amen

Shirlene Peterson