The Power of a Friend

I've lost my car keys--on more than one occasion. And I don't know what's more frustrating, the time I spend looking for my keys or the realization that if I'd pulled the couch back just another inch I could have ended my search much earlier.

But let's change the situation. Let's say you are the lost object. You see caring people and organizations all around you who appear to want to help those who are lost and hurting. But they somehow never see your need. Would you feel frustrated?

Receive

John 5 tells about a man who'd been crippled for 38 years. He'd spent his days near a pool of water called Bethesda in Jerusalem. People believed the water would heal the sick if they climbed into it at just the right time. When asked why he'd never climbed in, the man answered, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me" (John 5:7, ESV). In other words, he had no one to help.

In Mark 2, we see another crippled man. When Jesus came to his town, he must've hoped Jesus would notice him; but with the crowds around, his expectations were probably not very high. Imagine, then, his joy when his friends tore back the roof of the house where Jesus was speaking and lowered him down to the very feet of Jesus.

Both these men were healed, but the second example shows us the impact that we can have on the lives of others. The first man had no friends. No one reached out to him, and for 38 years he lived by the side of a pool hoping for a miracle. The other crippled man wasn't alone. Four men reached out to him and brought him to the very feet of Jesus.

Reflect

Are there those around you today who could use a friend who cares? Reach out to them. Get some friends and show them God's love. And someday you'll know the joy of the crippled man's friends when they heard Jesus say to him, "My son, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5, ESV).

As you read John 5:1-17 and Mark 2:1-12 think about the following questions:

• In both these passages, who objected to the healing of the crippled men?
• What was the reason in each case?
• In addition to healing them, what else did Jesus do for these men?

Respond

The example of these four friends shows that reaching out to those in need doesn't have to be a solo affair. If you're in a small group at your church, look for a need that you can address together. Talk to your pastor or church leaders. Prepare by praying that God would lead you to a specific person or family that needs to hear of His love. Praise God for the opportunity to serve Him.