In the Gospel of Mark, one of Jesus’ first healings was a paralyzed man whose friends got him to Jesus in a crowded house by lowering him through the roof. Here is the story from Mark 2:
When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.3 Then some peoplea] came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.”12 And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
While I would like to have the power to heal a paralyzed person into being able to walk, I’ve found Jesus a very challenging role model. I have, however, been able to take some opportunities to live up others by hand or spirit in ways that though maybe not healing, at least helpful. If you find that prayers for healing seem to go unanswered, keep praying, and while you do, follow the example of these friends and Paul Thorn in the song below and Lift Somebody Up
Check out Paul Thorns music at the following link: Paul Thorn Music
