Four faithful companions. How long did they travel to set their friend at the Master’s feet? Did their arms burn after carrying their amigo an untold number of miles, then waiting an untold number of minutes, then hoisting him atop the roof, then peeling the ceiling apart to finally lower the paralytic down to Jesus. Isn’t this a great illustration for what the Word calls us to do: help the weak, show mercy, bear one another’s burdens, comfort, show care and concern and help in times of trouble?
Perhaps these friends had their own requests for the Master. Imagine finally getting a chance to see the long sought after Messiah! Indeed he was back in Capernum and they wouldn’t miss him this time. Perhaps they too had afflictions: a disabled child, a sick relative, out of work. But for now, their issues were of no consequence. Self-interests and comforts were set aside to assist.
How free are we to minister to the hearts of the hurting if we are TOO consumed with our own issues?
Whose arms are you lifting?
When the Amalekites attacked the Israelites, as long as Moses had his staff raised they won the battle. But such is life, we get weary, we get tired. It is in those troubling times that God sends the arm lifters, the burden bearers. Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses, propped him on a rock and held up his hands until sunset and they were victorious.
Again I ask, whose arms are you lifting?
While we are called to comfort, bear, and encourage one another the only one capable of entirely removing the heavy burden is Jesus himself. The companions of the paralytic did their due diligence in carrying their compadre before the Master but once there, the paralytic himself needed to trust and rely on Jesus not on friends for his healing. And it was his faith in Jesus not in his friends that ensured his healing.
That paralytic’s weight; physical, mental or otherwise was so burdensome it held him to his pallet. Like the gravity keeping you pinned to the steel cage on the Zero Gravity (aka Round Up) ride at the amusement park, His back clung to the pallet, only being delivered by the most powerful force, a word from the Master. O the thrill to get on my favorite ride at Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire, the Round Up. The ride begins by spinning until the centrifugal force is enough to push you against the wall. By then, the friction between your back and the wall holds you there.
It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can be ‘freed’ from the pinning gravity of the Round Up.
Your friends can carry you, they lighten the weight of your burden but the next step is up to you.
Cast your cares on Him for he cares for you.
Take His yoke upon you.
Trade with Him a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness.
Your heavenly Father is waiting. He is your burden bearer. Unload your baggage, lighten up and experience His rest.
Back to our paralytic friend for a minute. The scriptures says he saw THEIR faith, not just the faith of the paralytic but that of his friends as well. While he only spoke to the paralytic directly, he may have rewarded the friends as well for their demonstration of faith. (Mark 2:1-12)
Thoughts to ponder…
Have you made yourself available to be a burden bearer?
Are you casting your cares on Him?
As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Tyra, that story of Moses lifting his arms while Joshua fought is one of my favorites! I love how insignificant Moses’ role seemed, yet it was his faithfulness to do it that won the battle. Great message! Visiting from #RaRaLinkup
Katy thanks for stopping by. Moses’ dedication and obedience coupled with the helping hands of friends made for a beautiful victory. God is faithful!
I had never really considered those that carried the burden of their paralyzed friend to Jesus before! Thanks for challenging me to think of new ways that I can be a burden bearer! Also, I am thankful for the Lord that He carries me through and takes my weaknesses, worries, anxieties, pain, suffering and everything else upon Himself! Thanks for this encouragement!
Ruth,
Isn’t God so amazing in how He has the ability to illuminate pieces of scripture? That perspective literally jumped off the page at me. I am praising God for inviting me to come and cast my care on Him. Now the key is not in the knowing but in the doing. Let’s rest at the Master’s feet today.
Making ourselves available, to be burden bearers… I love this so much. When I gaze at others, I need to have the eyes of Christ, and see them, not as someone else who needs something of me, but as someone precious in need of a hand reaching out to help them stand. Got to see them with love.
That’s the gift these four companions inspire… and the gift He ultimately gave generously to us on a cross.
Beautiful post! Visiting from the #RaRaLinkup 🙂
Christine,
Thanks for coming over. Giving thanks that we know, love and serve the ultimate burden bearer. Just knowing that helps to take some of the load off. I pray your strength as you ‘see’ whom you’ve been called to assist and you obediently walk out being his hands and feet in the earth.
What a great reminder. Through mentoring others I have learned that I am of little use to them unless I am rested and rooted. Trying to hold others up without allowing God to hold me leaves me dishevelled and empty. This message is certainly an inspiration and full of wisdom to live fully. Thank you for sharing.
A true statement indeed. We can drown under the weight of trying to be everything for everyone when we haven’t first had a drink from the well that never run dry. Truth!
What beautiful encouragement today for #raralinkup. Thank you for cheering us on! Kim Stewart
Kim thanks for visiting. May His joy continually be your strength as you pour out in service to Him.
You have inspired me! Thank you! This message keeps coming up and I love your thoughts! “Unload your baggage, lighten up and experience His rest.” Amen! I am thankful for meeting you today!
Michelle glad to connect with you too new friend as our hearts unite to encourage and uplift one another.
What a great question, whose arms are you lifting. I know others have lifted mine to help me, and I too need to lift others. Thanks for a great reminder. Joining from #raralinkup
Kortney thanks for coming over from the #raralinkup. I pray that as the Lord fills you and strengthens your arms, you’ll be duly equipped to be that Aaron/Hur to another.
My dear friend Tyra, You have lifted my arms with your words here, bringing me right to Jesus. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed today with some food issues. I know it seems like an insignificant issue but it is paralyzing me. Thank you for this encouragement and reminder of where I need to be. Much love and many blessings to you!
My honor to come alongside you my friend. I am praying for you.
“Trade with Him a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness.”
I love this! I think one of the things that helps us out of of dark places is ministering to others.
Thandi that statement is from my life verses Isaiah 61:1-3. And yes ministering to others helps us take our eye off of our situations so we can be available to encourage another. Galatians 6:2 calls us to do so.