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Friends. It was one of the highest rated sitcoms in the 90s and still to this day is loved by viewers. America fell in love with these 6 people as they watched them struggle through life, find new love, celebrate promotions and new jobs, and laugh through season after season.
Why was it so popular?
Because that’s what so many of us desire – friends.
Friends that will be with you through breakups or divorce.
Friends who will encourage you to take that bold step and ask for a raise.
Friends that will stand by your side when you get married.
Friends that will see your wrongs and try to help you make them right.
Friends that won’t give up on you.
Friends that will love you even if you told them your deepest darkest secrets.
Friends that would go to the extreme to see you healed.
And that’s just where we find ourselves today in our reading of Luke.
“And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.”
Luke 5:18-19
These friends had heard about Jesus and the power in which he held. They believed in Jesus. They knew, deep down inside, that if they could just get their friend to Him, He would heal this man.
It doesn’t say how far they came.
It doesn’t say how heavy the bed was.
It doesn’t say how many there were carrying him.
But it tells us enough to know they loved their friend.
They couldn’t push through the crowd. It was far too many people. So together, they came up with a plan and headed for the roof. It wasn’t going to be easy, but they were willing to go to the extreme to see him healed. Mindfully, they lowered the man down into the house where Jesus was teaching.
And here’s what Jesus said to them.
“And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.”
Luke 5:20
Did you read that?
Their faith.
Not just his. But theirs!
This man was healed because of his and his friends’ faith.
Not only do I want friends like that, but I want to be that kind of friend.
Because that’s who Jesus is.
He is the one who saw the need for me to be healed. He knew there was no other way, and He and God came up with a plan: one they knew wouldn’t be easy. And with precise timing Jesus lowered Himself from Heaven to earth and then to the cross to bring us the healing we needed.
If you are searching for a friend, let me assure you, there isn’t a greater one than Jesus. Reach out to Him and thank Him for what He’s done for you.
And let’s all be that kind of friend, the one who would go to the extreme for the ones we love.
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