Have you ever seen a movie or read a book where the same story is retold from the viewpoint of different characters? Even though the facts are the same, you gain a little more knowledge and understanding by seeing it from more than one perspective. That's one way I like to read the Bible. I thought it might be fun this month to take a familiar Bible story (just five verses!) and view it through the eyes of four different characters. Let's go!

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” - Mark 2:1-5

Part One - Four Friends

Picture the scene. Jesus had been traveling the countryside and news of His miracles was creating more buzz than free tickets to a Taylor Swift concert. The whole town flooded the house where he was staying to get a glimpse of this "legend in the making." These four guys, instead of rushing to get front row seats, thought of their buddy who couldn't go because he was paralyzed. Not only that, if anybody needed a healing miracle, it was their friend! Their love for him was so strong they not only carried him to see Jesus, they climbed up on the roof, tore a hole and lowered their friend down right down at Jesus feet. Their friendship was more important that what others thought of them, the inconvenience of the work it took to get him there, and even the possibility of criminal charges. (If four guys tore a hole in my roof, I'd certainly expect the police to haul their hineys off to the pokey.)

So here's the question - do you have a friend like that? Someone who with a single phone call would drop everything and come to your aid? Who would go beyond just saying, "I'll pray for you," and actually do the work to fix your situation? There is no indication that the paralyzed man asked to be taken to Jesus, his friends saw the opportunity and thought of him. Do you have a friend who volunteers to help without even being asked?

There is an old saying that rings true here - To have a friend you have to be a friend. True friends don't happen by accident, you have to put the time into the relationship. Most people would be happy with one friend that close. The paralyzed man had at least four friends who loved him enough to help. You don't get friends like that by living in isolation and only thinking about yourself. You've got to pour your time, concern and love into other people's lives.

Hopefully several of your friends have come to mind as you've been reading this. If so, you are blessed. Take time to let them know how much they mean to you. If, on the other hand, you can't think of anyone who would go the extra mile for you, it's time to get out of your comfort zone, take your eyes off yourself and start loving the people God has placed around you. Life is too short to spend it only on yourself. Like the gospel song says, "loving God, loving each other." Go love somebody!
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Your friends,
Phil and Pam

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