Just Get Me To Jesus

Then they came to Him, bringing a
paralytic who was carried by
four men.
Mark 2:3

It's an odd incident in the Gospels, but I have loved it for years. Jesus arrived in Capernaum. He went to a certain house and there began to preach. By now Jesus had done quite abit of healing and teaching so He had a following because of it. The house was packed full of people including some scribes who were there to listen to Jesus and probably hoped to get all the negative information on Jesus that they could. We read that the house was not only full but so full the crowd went to even the doorway. In all probability, there were folks standing outside the house as well.

Houses in those days were pretty simple if we go by cultural information we have from that time in history. Most were like a small building, square in shape usually made from mud bricks with mud to serve as a kind of concrete. There were in many cases a window on each side of the house and usually a very narrow stairway, attached to the house that led up to the roof. The roof was a wonderful place to be in the evenings when the sun was about set and folks could relax in the cooler evening air. During the day, the roof became a work area. The roof itself was usually made of hardened mud tiles that could be removed to pass things down into the house or just for ventilation.

Four men had a great concern for a friend who was a paralytic. We don't know the names of the men nor do we know if they were close friends or relatives. The fact is that they were very concerned for the man and felt if they could get him to Jesus, he could be healed. They carried the man on a cot or crude stretcher of sorts. Each of the four men held onto a corner of the cot and went straight to the house. Much to their dismay, they couldn't even get close to Jesus, not even into the door of the house. What were they to do?

The men decided the thing to do was to take the man to the roof. That would not be easy. Remember that the steps leading up to the roof were usually very narrow. How could four men, carrying a cot with a man on it possibly get to the roof? We don't know how they did it but they were desperate and got to the roof. There they removed some tiles and could see into the room where Jesus was preaching. They lowered the paralytic through the roof down to where Jesus was. Their determination and concern for their friend impressed Jesus who commented on their faith and immediately healed the man. Jesus told the man to get up, pick up his cot and to go to his house. Immediately the man arose from the cot, picked it up himself and went out where other people were standing. All were amazed and began praising the Lord. Many responded with “We've never seen anything like this!”

Why am I so impressed with this real event in the healing ministry of Jesus? First, there was a very desperate man with a condition that rendered him helpless. Even if he heard about Jesus, he couldn't have gotten himself to Jesus. BUT, four men appeared on the scene with a determination to get their friend to THE One they felt sure could heal him. They came up with a plan, got the man to Jesus and the rest is history.

I'm thinking of times in my spiritual walk when I became emotionally or spiritually paralyzed.

Serious situations can come into our lives and we exhaust ourselves with praying, often with more tears than we think we can shed. Perhaps some folks who love us realize our situation and come along side to stand with us. Some may be willing to even carry us. When we see a person like I've described, we can become a stretcher bearer.

When first married, a doctor told me I probably couldn't have a baby. That was a killer for me. I was the nursery director in a large Baptist church. I was taking care of others babies while having none of my own. Unbeknown to me, as I was told later by our pastor, seven of my nursery workers went to the pastor and asked him to find a baby for Brian and me to adopt. He didn't know of a situation at that time that had come to his attention but assured them he would be alert to that need. Those ladies made a spiritual agreement that night that no matter where they were, they would individually pray for this situation at 9:00 every night until I was holding a baby of my own in my arms. They also promised that they would never speak of it to me or anyone else. Can you imagine such an undertaking of love and even urgency. I couldn't do anything about our situation. I was about to the point that I couldn't even pray for myself anymore. I didn't go around talking about it but a couple of those workers were close friends and knew my heart.

In a few months, at a church staff meeting, the pastor said he had an announcement to make. He said, “Glendarae is going to have a baby the first part of November.” Everyone just cheered. I thought it was a joke...the meeting was being held in July. Sure enough, a beautiful baby girl came into our lives November 6 of that year. As much as Brian and I rejoiced with our new born daughter, secretly, behind the scenes was a group of seven ladies...stretcher bearers that supported me in prayer when I often couldn't get to Jesus for myself who among themselves were rejoicing, sharing knowing smiles about this baby who all must have felt like she was a special part of their lives as well.

We can't take on that much for everyone we come in contact with but the Lord will often bring someone our way with a great and seemingly impossible problem. Perhaps that person desperately needs one or more Christians to help bear their burden. Looking back, I remember receiving anonymous notes, little gifts, cards, some 3x5 cards with Scripture promises on them. Of course, I didn't know names of those ladies until after our baby came into our lives but the pastor admonished me to never let on to those ladies that I knew their secret. It was fun to watch those ladies on some occasions when individually, they would show up at church with a new frilly dress or baby toy for this little one they had prayed for. With each act of kindness, I just had to keep my knowing smile to myself. I wanted to cry at times when I watched some of them rock our baby while in the nursery or take extra time feeding her. They would almost have a look of wonder as they held her.

I haven't received that much secret devotion on the part of a group of friends since that time. I do know that there have been friends who have prayed and encouraged me during some very difficult times, times when I was so burdened I couldn't even word a prayer at the time. All of us need those “stretcher bearers” on occasion, but we also need to be so sensitive to the needs of others that we are willing to commit our energy and time to another person who desperately needs to get to Jesus, but who just feel like they can't quite get there. I believe Jesus is pleased when He witnesses our giving that kind of devotion to another person and He stands ready to honor that dedication.

By the way, as I write, in three days, that lovely daughter will celebrate a birthday. She loves and serves the Lord and has three children of her own. I wish those seven ladies, those stretcher bearers, could meet her now. Some are in Heaven, some are scattered now to different places but their impact is an eternal one. They got me to Jesus when I was too weary to get there on my own.

Thank You, dear Father, for seven friends who in their own way, consistently knocked on Your door on my behalf. We all learned in the process. Thank You for those in my life who have lifted me up when I felt I couldn't stand emotionally. May I be just as sensitive to others who have a need for whatever support I might be able to render. In Jesus' precious name..Amen