Friday January 17, 2025

Mark 2:25-40

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay.

One thing I want you to notice in the gospel of Mark is how busy our Lord is. Wherever he goes a crowd follows. Mark wants the reader to see how this thunder of Gods power is hitting this area. This is not an ordinary preacher, this is God at work. I find it curious that the writer does not tell us what the sermon was about but what strikes him is the action of Jesus and the actions of those around him. A sermon might be forgotten but a visit at the hospital will never be forgotten, a bowl of chilli will not be forgotten.

Secondly this unnamed paralytic has the best friends in the world. I don’t know if he asked to be taken to Jesus or if they saw his sufferings and said “we will take you.” His friends were determined to place him before the Lord. May we be that church that does all it can do to bring them to him. Today say a prayer for someone in your life who needs a healing. You do not have to look far, trust me.