Intercessory Faith

One of the great healing stories of the New Testament is found in the second chapter of Mark.  Jesus was in a home in Capernaum and the word got out which brought a great crowd of people to the place where he was staying.  Getting to the door was impossible, but there was a paralytic whose friends were determined to get him in the presence of Jesus.  Up on the roof they went.  Some roof tiles were removed and the next thing the guy on the mat knew he was being lowered into the room where Jesus was sitting.    

It is the next move which really lights up the story,"When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven you....I say to you, stand up, take your mat, and go to your home.' "  (Mark 2:5, 11)  What we must not miss is that it is the faith of the friends which made the difference.  Whether or not the paralytic had faith as well is totally irrelevant.  The act of the men who lowered their friend into the presence of Jesus was the operative faith in the story.  Though there is no mention of prayer in the story, it is a story of an act of intercession, nonetheless.     

This story becomes a story of the power of intercession in the ministry of healing.  Our prayers for others do make a difference.  Our acts of compassion offered in behalf of someone suffering make a difference.  We may be able to actually be with our friend in the moment of need, but we may be miles and miles away making physical presence impossible.  It does not matter.  No matter the distance which separates us from someone who is in need of healing, we can through our prayers bring them into the presence of Jesus.  Once we have done this, we have done our part in the partnership we share with Jesus in the ministry of healing.