Collective Faith
Below you can listen to the audio of the post, read by Kay Naomi.
There is a story in the gospel of Mark about a man who was paralyzed. We learn that Jesus was teaching the word at a local home and it was packed! I wonder if it was hot in there? (My random thoughts.) Anyway, there were four guys determined to bring this paralytic man to the Healer. They were not going to let the crowd stop them from reaching Jesus. Let’s read a portion of the story together:
And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Mark 2:1-5
As the story continues, the man is healed. He picks up the mat he was brought in on and walks out! Now, it is not clear the connection between these men and the paralytic. However, they displayed sheer will and courage. It is pretty risky to dig into the roof of someone’s else home and lower a man into an already overcrowded space. I wonder what the onlookers were thinking. Did they hear noises above their heads or were they so enthralled in what Jesus was saying that did not pay attention?
I want to highlight a specific part of this passage: “When Jesus saw their faith…” It was their collective faith that moved the heart of Jesus. As you read through the Gospels, faith is an action that continually moves the hand of God.
We see Jesus responds similarly in the story of the woman with the issue of blood (ref Mark 5: 25-34). This woman pressed through a crowd of people and thought if she could just touch Jesus she would be healed. After she touched Him, He knew “power had gone out of Him” (Mark 5:30) and He asked who touched Him. Trembling, the woman admitted it was her and this was His response: “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” (Mark 5:34). I suggest reading the entire story for full context. It is such a beautiful display of God’s love. I highlighted this instance to share another example where faith gets God’s attention.
Back to the four men who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus. We don’t know what the conversation was before arriving at the home, filled with people. However, we do know they had collective faith. In my imagination, I like to believe these were people who loved him deeply. I made this inference based on the level of focus and determination they displayed for this unnamed man. What is the story of the unnamed man?
Let’s call him Raphael for the sake of our discussion today. For the record, the name means “God has healed” so I think it is appropriate. Perhaps he had been dealing with paralysis his entire life. Maybe he had been in an accident on the job. Whatever the situation, these men recognized this was a divine moment that could transform Raphael’s life. They didn’t allow the crowd or even the roof to stop them from bringing Raphael to Jesus.
How do you and I show up for the people we love like those four men showed up for Raphael?
We pray for them. The act of lowering Raphael before Jesus looks like us bringing our loved ones before God in prayer. They were asking God to heal Raphael. We too can ask God to heal those we bring before Him.
Have faith. Not only do we pray but we pray believing God hears and will answer. We combine our faith with theirs.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
We walk with them. These men carried Raphael an unknown distance but they were walking with him. For us, this may look like sharing words of encouragement and being a safe space for them to open their heart.
Be selfless. It takes putting your own needs to the side to be like these four men. At that moment, their sole focus was to get this man to Jesus. He may have been heavy. It may have been difficult to pull him up the side of the house and put him on the roof. Digging into the roof and making a hole big enough took time. For us, this may not be a one-time prayer session. It may require more. We must be willing to contend in this way for those we love until we see the answer.
Before I close, I have to say, I am truly blessed and thankful to have people in my life like this. People who bring me to Jesus in my weakest moments. People who walk with me and believe God with me. Their love and support mean more than words can ever express. (Y’all know I am a crybaby so the tears are flowing as I type these words.)
Not only do we need these four men, but we need to be like these four men.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You created us to live and thrive in community. I pray for each person reading this that You will surround them with people like these four men. May they have people who will pray for them, pray with them, walk with them, and believe with them. Help us to not only be on the receiving side but on the giving side. Teach us to love those You called to our lives in this way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Until Next Time,
Live and Love Audaciously,
Kay Naomi