Friends

The second chapter of Mark tells the story of a paralyzed man who was forgiven and then healed by Jesus because of the compassionate intervention of four of his friends.  Unable to get into the house, the four friends tore up the roof and lowered their friend into the presence of Jesus.  A key verse in the story is verse 5 which says, "When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' " and then later, "...stand up, take your mat and go to your home."  (Mark 2:5, 11)  The man on the mat was forgiven and healed not because of his faith, but because of the faith of his friends.   

If we ever need a word to push us into persistent intercession for a sufferer, surely this is the story.  Those four friends would not quit until they knew their friend had been touched by Jesus.  Their aching shoulders which came upon them during the journey did not deter them from tearing up the roof.  Their compassion had not limits.  Nary a one of the four was a quitter.  Their faith did not allow for such a possibility.   A memory I shall take with me as long as I have memory is of three friends who came to stay and pray during a time when the darkness was so deep I could not see anything that spoke of God's presence.  A request for prayer to one brought the three who brought comfort and holy presence into that hospital room through the night.  

What I have learned through the years both by personal experience and by watching is that we often come to moments when we cannot pray for ourselves and those who are so very close to us. Along with that lesson has been the knowledge that in those moments others stand in our behalf to intercede for us until we find ourselves far enough along to look heavenward again.  I can never repay those friends from the past.  All I can do is to be such a friend to others whose path crosses mine.