Mark 2: 1-12
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
January 28, 2018
The story of the four friends who carry the paralytic to Jesus is another favorite story among this congregation. Our own Laura Clark says this story is church at its best!
Hear the story with fresh spiritual eyes according to Mark’s Gospel 2: 1-12…
When [Jesus] returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.
So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’
Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic— ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’
And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’
Mark, Matthew, and Luke all tell this story, but Mark is the one who best captures what is profound about this story (Matthew 9: 1-8; Luke 5: 17-26).
Jesus is at home surrounded by people who are packed in like sardines. Imagine an ordinary day where this sanctuary, the fellowship hall, and the Vaughan Room are so full it is standing room only. Imagine the cars passing by and drivers wonder what in the world is going on at THAT church?!?! Imagine the capacity is so full it violates fire code and the Fire Department has to come to ensure our safety!
Mark says the folks who gathered in that house were hanging on Jesus’ every word. He was teaching the Scriptures and I’m sure he was connecting all the dots to apply God’s Word to real life. Can you just imagine sitting at the feet of Jesus? Can you hear yourself thinking about that one friend or family member who is not by your side in that moment and you say to yourself, “Man, so-and-so should really be here too!”
The four friends were thinking the same thing. They knew someone who needed to be at the feet of Jesus. The text does not reveal to us anything about their relationships to one another.
We only know four things: The four friends go above and beyond to carry this unnamed man to Jesus; paralysis created an inability for the man to act for himself; Jesus saw the four friend’s confidence in Jesus’ healing power and power to change one’s life; and all were amazed by the extraordinary grace of the four saints and Jesus which brought healing and wholeness to the man.
It is a powerful thing when we see ourselves in these Bible stories. God’s faithfulness continues to be at work in mysterious ways, especially through the actions of friends and strangers alike. A few of our church folk among us gave me permission to share their own stories with you.
When Vivian was thirty years old and living in Tennessee, a friend dragged her to a Bible study. At the time Vivian’s daughters were preschool age and you know it takes a lot of effort to go anywhere with little ones! The Bible study was not just down the street, it was twenty miles away and Vivian was not so sure about making the commitment. Nevertheless, she participated in that women’s study which was led by Kay Arthur. Vivian remembers how inspiring Kay’s leadership and teachings were. While Vivian had been a life-long Christian, she was amazed to learn about Jesus’ power revealed in his death and resurrection and the ways it completely changes our lives. Vivian’s friend carried her to Jesus in a profound way that continues to shape her faith today.
Our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Group tears open the roof on a regular basis as we dig into God’s Word with engaging discussions and sharing differing insights. Our time together gives Glenda pause as she sees this group raising the roof in prayer for family, friends, neighbors, the community, and the wider world. Being lifted in prayer sounds like an undramatic way to carry a friend to Jesus, but prayer is powerful beyond measure. Glenda has some wise insight: it's our everyday Christian friends who carry us through prayer to Jesus' feet for comfort, healing, and guidance. She thanks God every day for surrounding her with people who believe in the power of prayer and having the faith that our prayers will be answered.
Another member shared their story of the church at its best during a difficult season of life and faith. In very dark days of my own life, I was not able to get to Jesus on my own. I was paralyzed with grief and depression, unable to get up and walk. I felt like God had abandoned me. It was only through the love and support of my friends that I was able to get to Jesus. The love and acceptance of my church friends carried me and lowered me through the roof back into God's presence. This experience changed my life. I learned that my prayers, church attendance, and service were not transactions to receive God’s grace, but nurture my relationships with God and the community of faith.
These collective stories from our community of faith are inspiring. They also point to what is so profound about Mark’s telling of this story. The profound truth is that when we see the good news of Jesus Christ in action it is a picture of bearing up one another in unconditional love (Ephesians 4:2).
When we bear up one another it is not according to our own agendas, or to get any special recognition, or to have God’s grace credited to our faith account. To bear up one another in God’s unconditional love – to carry friends, neighbors, and even strangers to Jesus - is a gift and a responsibility as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus is solely focused on uniting the community of faith so it may be built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God (Ephesians 2:22). Paul says Jesus Christ is the foundation of God’s household (Ephesians 2:20).
It is through Jesus Christ that the whole structure of God’s people is joined together as a community. At times Holy Spirit gently softens the rough places of our hearts and yet at other time tears open the rough places in order for us to see Jesus as the only One who can satisfy our spiritual needs (Ephesians 2: 21-22).
God’s love works through our family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers to gather us into the spiritual house that Jesus is building. Carol Johns says, God never loved me in such a way till He brought you to me and said, “BEHOLD A FRIEND!" And that is part of the gift.
We are led by God’s love with the help of others, as Carol so beautifully said, to sit at Jesus’ feet and our lives begin to change. Holy Spirit transforms us by the renewing of our hearts, minds, and strength (Romans 12:2). As we find God’s peace and experience the wholeness that only Jesus Christ can provide, then we behold the gift of grace and also the responsibility to respond to it in kind.
Paul says we are to “Lead a life worthy of the calling to follow Jesus Christ with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing up one another in love, and making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (God’s wholeness). That unity means that God’s love empowers us to practice community in authentic ways so that we may be a blessing to one another, to the community, and to the wider world.
This week I want you to prayerfully consider the ways God’s Spirit might be nudging you.
Who is God bringing to your mind in prayer? Who is God placing in your path that needs to get to Jesus?
May you and I continue striving to be a community of faith who is united to being transformed by God’s love, Jesus’ grace, and the Spirit’s embrace.
May we be known as friends who will carry others to Jesus.
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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