Stretcher Bearers Unite
After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.” (Mark 2:1-5) As we stop for a moment together today to spend a little time with Jesus, I want to pose a question to each of us - who would be your stretcher carriers? We all have friends, but who among your friends would actually push past the crowd, drag your sorry self to the top of the roof, deconstruct the obstacles in your way, and then ensure you were front and center with Jesus? Think on that one a bit - the ones you consider to be your friends will matter most when you stand in need of barriers being removed in your life -