Get A Friend That Takes You To Jesus

By: Jenifer Metzger

When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported

that He was at home. So many people gathered together that there was

no more room, not even in the doorway, and He was speaking the word

to them. They came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them.

Since they were not able to bring Him to Jesus because of the crowd, they

removed the roof above Him, and after digging through it, they lowered

the mat on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the

paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were

sitting there, questioning in their hearts: “Why does He speak like this?

He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Right away Jesus

perceived in His spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves

and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which

is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up,

take your mat, and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man

has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He told the paralytic— “I tell you:

get up, take your mat, and go home.” Immediately he got up, took the mat,

and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and

gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Mark 2:1-12

There is so much to glean from this story in Mark. We see how this man was forgiven of his sins, how he was healed, how the scribes and pharisees doubted Jesus, and how Jesus was teaching and working miracles. But for today, let's take a different approach and look at the friends.

We don't know too much about the crippled man. How old was he? Was he crippled his entire life? Did he even want to go see Jesus? But when we look at his friends, we see men on a mission.

They obviously didn't catch an uber or train to get to Jesus, they walked and it is likely their journey was long. They weren't pushing a wheelchair, they were carrying their crippled friend. Then, they get to their destination but it is too full. They could easily have waited outside or just left. No, they take drastic measures and carry their crippled friend on top of the roof, dug through it, and lowered their friend right at the feet of Jesus.

We need friends that take us to the feet of Jesus. When you are struggling, suffering, or hurting, it is not enough for your friend to just be there. You need a friend who will carry you to Jesus. Who will pray for you and over you. Who will bring you back to the Word of God. Who will speak life into your situation. Who will speak truth, even when you don't want to hear it. We all need someone who will be a friend like the crippled man had. But in turn, we all need to be that friend.

If you have a friend like this, know the blessing it is and praise God for your friend who takes you to Jesus. If you don't, it is time to pray and ask God to lead you to a friend.

Tweet: You need a friend that takes you to the feet of Jesus. ~@jenifermetzger @w2wministries

It's time for Share A Link Wednesday! Each Wednesday we invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.