Being true friends that lead people to God

One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." (Luke 5:17-26)

Different kinds of friends

One day one of my friends called. We were discussing about a mutual friend. He said, "I have not seen or spoken to Mr.…. for long. Did you speak with him?" I replied, "No. I have not for long." He said, "You are good in keeping in touch with friends. How come you did not speak with him?" I thought for a moment and said, "There are two kinds of friends. With some, if we even spend a minute, it delights us. But, there are 'depressive friends'. You talk with them even for a minute you feel depressed. They talk all negative things, experiences and pessimistic ideas. This friend belongs to second category, so I avoid him."

Yes, some friends bring joy and gladness whenever we meet them. There are some who talk only about their sufferings, sickness, and defeats and pull others spirits down.

Great to have friends

It is great to have good friends, helpful friends. It is true saying: 'Good friends are rare, take them with care." Being a friend is also a joyful experience. There is a proverb in Tamil. "Each man should have at least four faithful friends to carry him on his last journey on funeral pyre." How true is this proverb?

Friends of paralytic

In the passage from the bible we see the paralytic man had friends who helped him. These friends brought the paralytic man to Lord Jesus Christ. And this gesture gave the paralytic a new life.

1. Affectionate friends

The friends of paralytic were very affectionate or loving. It is interesting to note that they chose to be friends with a paralytic. In those ancient days, a paralytic was not treated with dignity. In many cultures they were abandoned to fend for themselves or die. In some cultures they were treated as people punished by God because of past sins. Even family members were ashamed about them. But these friends were proud of their paralytic friend. They considered every person created in the image of God. So each person is sacred.

They were sympathetic towards their friend. He was paralytic and was not able to go out to meet others. The sympathetic friends were available to spend time with him. The friends discerned the needs of the paralytic friend and were willing to help him. They were also sensitive to the aspirations of their paralytic friend. His aspiration was to get back to normal life somehow, some time. These friends were sincere, sticking with him in good time and bad times.

2. Active friends

These friends were active, not passive. They were not just wordy friends, i.e. who speak but do not act. They were always exploring ways and means to help their friend. They were thinking of impossible at that point of time. There was no possible cure or known cure at that time. In spite of that, they were willing to think outside the box. They were people of faith, who could expect God to do mighty things.

3. Creative friends

These friends were very creative. They came to know about Lord Jesus Christ. People all around were speaking about the 'prophet' who was doing miracles. When they heard about Lord Jesus, they heard about Lord Jesus, their heart jumped with joy, mind filled with hope, imagination with the picture of paralytic walking and their spirit filled with faith. They got all information about his whereabouts and they reached while he was preaching in a house.

But there was 'no room' message around the house. It was impossible to get inside the house. The crowd that was eagerly listening to the teaching of Lord Jesus could not be disturbed. But, somehow, the paralytic man should be taken to Lord Jesus. It was not easy task. It was their responsibility to take him to Jesus. They were able to think creatively. The approaches from all directions were not possible. Only possible way was from above. That was labourious, risky and even expensive. But, they will not leave any stone unturned to accomplish this.

Miracle Happens

Lord Jesus was amazed to see the faith of the five friends. Their faith was obvious, visible, expressed and demonstrated. Lord Jesus gives the paralytic man double blessing: spiritual and physical. Yes, his sins were forgiven and he was healed. These four friends must have paid to see that the roof was rebuilt.

Challenge today

Are we good friends? God has called us to be true friends in the world. Lord Jesus was called as 'friends of sinners'. It is essential for each Christian to make friends of people who are rejected, marginalized, de-humanized, deprived, desolate, rejected, lonely, sick, suffering, depressed. Then they have to take them to Lord Jesus Christ.

Taking to Lord Jesus Christ would be a creative endeavour. Each person has to be led in a different way. So, evangelism is always a creative task. There could be no copycat missions or ministries. In the gospels, only once this happened. Thank God, otherwise, we would have had 'Roof break" ministries. When we prayerfully seek God's guidance, He will provide us creative ways to lead people to Christ.

Let us be creative friends, leading people to Christ.