Friends Who Draw You Closer to God
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 2:4-5 NLT
In chapters 3 and 4 of the book of Job, we see how extreme suffering can lead us into deep despair, highlighting the human need for true support and empathy in the midst of pain. In contrast, in chapter 2 of Mark, we find the perfect image of what genuine friendship can achieve. Jesus was teaching in a house so full of people that no one else could enter. A paralyzed man desperately needed a miracle, but he could not get there on his own. It was then that the intervention of his four friends changed his destiny. They did not give up in the face of the obstacle of the crowd; with great determination, they went up to the roof, opened a hole, and lowered their friend right down in front of the Lord. Jesus not only saw the man’s need, but He valued the faith of those carrying him. Having true friends who bring us into the presence of God makes the difference between defeat and restoration.
- We all need help at some point At some point in our lives, we all need each other. There will be times when we find ourselves paralyzed by problems or crises, and the reality is that we will never be as strong alone as when we have the help of a team. Life’s problems are more easily overcome when we have the help of others.
- True friends do not give up Genuine friends are with you at all times, in good times and not-so-good times, when there is abundance and when resources are scarce. A true friend does not judge or criticize you when you are weak or vulnerable, but rather enjoys being with you for who you are and not for what you have to give them.
- The right friendships draw you closer to God There are many acquaintances in the world who can lead us away from the Lord, but true friends pray with us and draw us closer to God. These people encourage us to value the church as a place of rest, where we can hear teachings that bring us encouragement and new strength to keep going.
- Shared faith produces miracles The Bible teaches us that Jesus was amazed when He saw “their faith.” When we gather in a group and live in true harmony, there is guaranteed success, progress, and blessing. Two are better than one, and when we are together, we encourage each other to do good, multiply our efforts, and see that great projects are accomplished faster.
- The deepest healing is forgiveness Before restoring his legs, Jesus forgave his sins. Sometimes we seek external solutions, but God knows we need inner peace. When we come to Him, He does not keep a record of our sins, but offers us absolute forgiveness. It is God who restores the areas where we have suffered, healing our emotional wounds and giving us true freedom.
In this life, we will face situations where we will feel stuck, but we were not created to fight our battles alone. God has placed people around us to be instruments of His love and help us overcome obstacles. Let us value and cultivate those sincere relationships that invest in us and push us toward Christ. And at the same time, let us make the decision to be that unconditional friend who is willing to pay the price, cross the line of comfort, and bring someone to the feet of Jesus, the only place where there is always healing, forgiveness, and a new opportunity.
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 2:4-5 NLT
Think About It:
- Who are those true friends in your life who draw you closer to God when you feel discouraged or paralyzed by circumstances?
- In what way are you being an instrument of faith to carry in prayer the people in your circle of influence who need a miracle?
- Identify a person today who needs spiritual or emotional help and make the decision to be the bridge that brings them closer to Jesus Christ.