March 15
2019
“Do What it Takes” Friends
Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. Luke 5: 18-19
This man had “do what it takes” friends.
He was paralyzed.
He was unable to get to Jesus on his own for healing.
They carried him there on his bed.
When they arrived they saw that because of the crowd that surrounded Him, there was no way to get near.
They could have given up at this point and went home.
Surely they had done their due diligence.
But no, they didn’t stop there.
They went up on that roof, created an opening, carried him up onto that roof and then lowered him into the midst before Jesus.
That man received his healing.
What kind of friends do we surround ourselves with?
Do we have friends that will not only carry us to Jesus, but will tear apart those things that are keeping us from getting close enough to Jesus to receive our healing?
Do we have friends we can share openly with without fearing judgement or criticism?
Do we have friends that will carry us to Jesus when we are weak and tired and can’t take another step?
Do we have friends that will go to prayer, tear down strongholds in the spiritual, and who will also help us to remove everyday obstacles in the natural?
Do we have friends who won’t give up on us even when the crowd is pressing in and there is no obvious way in sight?
On the flip side, what kind of friends are we?
Would we do for those that the Lord has entrusted us with, what these friends did for that man? Friendship is a precious thing.
We can’t let the pressures and busyness of the world block our commitment to building those relationships.
God has placed people in our lives for a time, season and purpose and likewise placed us in the lives of others.
We must make it our aim to have and be “do what it takes” friends.
Question for Discussion Group:
Do you have “do what it takes” friends? Are you a “do what it takes” friend? What does that look like for you?