"Faith in the public eye" - based on Mark 2:1-12

Four guys – one on each corner of a stretcher. Their friend was paralysed. Other people as well were likely to have come along in support of this poor man on the stretcher. We have no idea how he came to be paralysed like that, but we do know that it would mean being in the most desperate of circumstances in the society of the day.

The four ‘stretcher-bearers’ and the other supporters had heard about Jesus, like so many had, as Jesus had been healing and speaking all very publicly. What they had heard about Jesus must have convinced them that this was the answer to their friend’s situation, or at least, it was certainly worth a try. So, when they heard where Jesus was situated, they went, carrying their friend, to try to meet with this Jesus.

But when they saw the crowd, and how difficult the whole thing would be, they gave up and went home! No they didn’t!! This may have been what many would have done, but not these faithful ones.

We see in Jesus’ actions that follow, that these four ‘stretcher-bearers’ and the other supporters were acknowledged for their faith, for we read, “When Jesus saw their faith, [Jesus] said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’” (v.5). Whatever they had thought about in terms of Jesus’ identity when they had wanted to bring their friend to him, Jesus made it clear that they had done precisely the right thing ... for they had brought their friend right into the presence of God. And being in the close presence of God, transformation was certain and imminent. When people are brought close to God, change is just about to happen.

Only God could forgive sins – so if Jesus was declaring forgiveness, he was God (unless he was a lunatic). So, Jesus, when challenged, would prove himself. [In these times people believed that it was sin that brought about disability, so for Jesus to later remove the disability was to prove the reality of his forgiveness of sin. Only God could provide the whole package of both spiritual and physical liberation.] For those who could not recognise Jesus for who he really was, Jesus said to the paralysed man ... “stand up, take your mat and go to your home”. Surely the faith of those who had brought him was well-placed – such faith was right there and then publicly vindicated.

These ‘stretcher-bearers’ and helpers had clearly recognised the difficulties and suffering being endured by this paralysed man. They would also understand the limitations that would make seeking help on his own nearly impossible. We don’t know how well any one of them actually knew him, but they certainly acted as his good friend and neighbour. They were likely to have had their eyes and ears open for any opportunity to offer and provide some assistance to this man.

But when they got to the house where Jesus was, what did these compassionate people have to cope with? Huge crowds blocking the entrance, possibly shouting out at them to “wait their turn”. They could have been yelling out “make way, make way, for our paralysed friend” and been totally ignored. Maybe there were some little internal stirrings of doubt coming into their minds about turning back – was this really all worth it? Yet they decisively moved past any such misgivings. They headed for the steps on the side of the building, climbing up to the flat roof above.

Risking all sorts of admonishment they dug through the roof made of thatch and mud, making a large enough opening for the stretcher to fit through. Then they managed to work out a way of lowering their friend down to where Jesus was (probably with the use of rope/s). Now we might think they were rude and destructive, but we might also consider they were committed and resolute. Sometimes the ends do justify the means.

What do we think of their approach???

·        They saw an opportunity to meet a tragic need and went for it (and could not be dissuaded)

·        They provided a great example of friendship, compassion and selflessness (in a very counter-cultural way)

·        They worked together as a team (possibly where any less than four could not have done the job – but where there was four working together, this attracted other helpers to go along with them)

·        They showed that they believed in something great beyond themselves (i.e. living faith)

·        This resulted in a public display of Jesus being able to bring both spiritual and physical freedom (to one on the margins of society)

What sort of activity should our faith lead us to???

Normally Jesus would have responded to the faith of the person themselves, but in this incident it was different. The paralysed man may have himself expressed faith in Jesus in being willing to go along with this bold plan. But it was essentially the faith of the paralysed man’s friends that made the difference. Likewise, it is our faith, on the ground and in the public eye, that can make a difference.

We might not be able to easily recognise the difference our faith makes, but we can know for sure that it does. It could be that it seems that our faith is being ignored or even rejected, and we could let this deter us. Yet the very integrity of this faith, especially as it is connected with our various acts of compassion, kindness and helpfulness, will be noticed by some, and have its (super)natural impact.

What is required of Jesus-followers is to apply their faith to the people needs and issues that are present to us. Effectiveness likely begins through friendship and neighbourliness, and seeing into what areas this leads us.

When the previously paralysed man indeed stood up, picked up his mat and walked away right before all the gathered crowd, we read (in v.12) that everyone was “amazed” and “glorified God”, also saying, “We have never seen anything like this”! As if to say, ‘Wow – something different, new and exciting has come to our humdrum life’! It is when we involve our ‘faith-filled’ selves in the mission of God that such a stir can be created (which leads to all sorts of transformations).