Life is not meant to be lived alone. Throughout Scripture, we see the importance of relationships… encouraging one another, walking together, and even carrying each other in times of need. One of the most beautiful examples of this is found in Mark 2:1-12, where four faithful friends go to extraordinary lengths to help a paralyzed man find healing and hope. This account not only reveals Jesus’ power and mercy but also reminds us how vital it is to have Godly, supportive friendships.
I write a lot of papers for my classes. One was about friendships and Jesus. I like to write on tough issues (some I have written on prior posts), and some on encouragement. We all need some encouragement in this difficult world we live in. So, I want to share some of my thoughts, as always, on what the Bible says. Always, what the Bible says. Let’s walk through this powerful story and pull out lessons for our own lives, about choosing the right friends, being the right kind of friend, and remembering the ultimate Friend we all need: Jesus.
The Story: Friends Who Wouldn’t Quit
In Mark 2:1-12, Jesus returns to Capernaum, and word quickly spreads that He’s in town. Soon, a house is packed with people craving to hear Him teach and hoping to receive healing. In the middle of this scene, four men arrive carrying their paralyzed friend. But when they can’t get through the crowd, they don’t give up. Instead, they climb up on the roof, dig a hole, and gently lower their friend right in front of Jesus.
Can you imagine the determination, creativity, and love that this took? Now houses in the first century were different than today of course. Most were flat roofs, some constructed with wooden beams, over which branches, reeds, or brush were laid, then covered with a thick layer of mud or clay, sometimes mixed with straw. This was then compacted and smoothed to make it somewhat waterproof. Some homes had their owns steps leading up to the roof. But still, can you imagine the owner of the house and hearing this commotion of someone make a hole in the roof! But regarding the paralytic man, these weren’t just casual acquaintances. They were true friends. They saw their friend’s desperate need and did whatever it took to bring him to the only One who could help. They knew the power of Jesus and wanted to help their friend!
Jesus was moved by their faith. In verse 5, it says, ‘When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven.’ His healing came because of faith—faith that was visible in their actions. Then, to show His authority over both sin and sickness, Jesus told the man, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’ (Mark 2:11). And he did!
Packed crowds and closed doors couldn’t stop the faithful. What roofs can you open today for those in need? #FaithAction #Mark2
The Value of Good Friends
This story highlights how important it is to have good friends in your life. Friends who will not only stand by you in hard times but also help bring you closer to Jesus. The paralyzed man couldn’t get to Jesus on his own; he needed help. And because his friends loved him enough to carry him, he experienced a miracle. Proverbs 17:17 says, ‘A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.’ True friends love consistently, share your burdens, and go with you through the storms of life. When you’re weak, they carry you. When you’re down, they lift you up. When you’re lost, they help you find your way back to God.
What kind of people are in your circle? Are they people who bring you closer to Jesus, or draw you away from Him? Are they willing to carry you when you’re hurting, or are they only around when things are easy?
Be the Friend Who Carries
While it’s important to have good friends, it’s just as crucial to be one. The four men in Mark 2 didn’t just feel sorry for their friend, they did something. It’s good to say “I’ll pray for you.” However, if you can do something, do it for your friend! These men didn’t let a crowded house or a blocked door stop them. They were willing to get their hands dirty, even tear up a roof, to help someone in need. (Maybe not go to that extreme today by tearing up a roof, but you know what I mean).
This challenges us in two ways. First, do we have the kind of compassion and commitment that these men had? Are we actively helping our friends grow closer to Jesus, even if it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable? Second, are we letting people into our lives enough to carry our burdens with us? Galatians 6:2 says, ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.’ We aren’t made to struggle through life alone. It’s okay to need help. The paralyzed man had to trust his friends enough to let them carry him—and their love and faith led to his healing.
Choose Your Friends Carefully
Friendships matter deeply. They can shape your decisions, your mindset, and even your future. Proverbs 13:20 says, ‘Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.’ Who we spend time with affects us more than we sometimes realize. Good friends challenge us, build us up, and help us become the best versions of ourselves. But the wrong friends can lead us astray, keep us stagnant, or pull us away from God. This doesn’t mean avoiding people who are struggling or different from you—it means being intentional about who speaks into your life, influences your decisions, and walks closely with you. Surround yourself with people who reflect God’s love and push you toward Him. And be that kind of person for others. Love like Jesus….this world is tough enough and kindness goes a long way!
Jesus: The Ultimate Friend
While we all need good friends, there is One Friend above all who will never fail or leave us. Jesus. John 15:13 says, ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ Jesus called us His friends and proved it by laying down His life for our sins.
When your heart is heavy, and no one else understands, Jesus does. When you feel like no one is there to carry you, He will. While earthly friends may be limited, Jesus is always available, always loving, always powerful. He doesn’t just forgive sins, He brings complete healing, from the inside out. Just like He told the paralyzed man to rise up and walk, He offers each of us the power to rise from sin, shame, and brokenness into a life of purpose and peace. That’s the kind of friend we all desperately need.
Questions to think about today:
1. This is a big one….Do the people closest to you help you grow closer to Jesus or pull you away from Him?
2. In what ways can you be a better friend to those around you…especially those going through difficult seasons?
3. Are you depending more on human friendships than your relationship with Jesus, your ultimate Friend?
Friendship is one of the greatest gifts we’ve been given, but like any gift, it needs care, intention, and grace. Let’s aim to choose our friends wisely, be the kind of friends others can rely on, and never forget the faithful Friend in Jesus, who will never let us down.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or turning to addictions or other things to cope with pain, I encourage you to give Jesus a chance. Click the link below to learn about the plan of salvation and discover the hope He offers. All my posts focus on God and Jesus. Please click the arrow below for my recent posts.
If you ask: Why do I need Jesus? We all need Jesus because we are sinners, and our sin separates us from a holy and perfect God. According to the Bible, all people have sinned (Romans 3:23), meaning we’ve all fallen short of God’s standard. Sin is a condition of the heart that leads us away from God, producing things like selfishness, pride, anger, and broken relationships. The consequence of sin is spiritual death and eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). But God, in His love and mercy, made a way for us to be restored. That’s why Jesus came.
Jesus is God’s Son who lived a perfect, sinless life. He willingly died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, even though He had no sin of His own. Through His death and resurrection, He conquered sin and death, offering forgiveness and eternal life to anyone who believes in Him (John 3:16). We can’t save ourselves by being “good enough” or trying harder. We need a Savior—and that’s Jesus. Through Him, we are not only forgiven, but we also receive a new heart, a new purpose, and He wants to have a relationship with you!
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