Who Carried the Paralytic?

Hi Folks,

I kind of feel that the men who brought the paralytic to Jesus very well might not have been friends, and may very well have been total strangers. Eyebrows raise around the room.

First of all, none of the 3 gospel accounts say who these men were. That they are "friends" is just traditionally assumed. This event is found in the 3 gospel accounts, Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26. Luke identifies them as "men", but not friends.

Secondly, Jesus acknowledged (saw) their faith. What faith was that? Was is just that they broken open the roof to let the paraplegic down? Look closely. They brought the man to Jesus because they obviously believed he could do something for this man. They overcame religious barriers. If the paralytic had sores or swelling that might have resulted from his condition, he was unclean. In addition, the Pharisees considered just about any imperfection or illness unclean, and they happened to be present where Jesus was teaching! Add to that the physical barriers they overcame, the crowded room and eventually the roof. These men acted on their faith, and God was pleased.

I think that it is certainly possible that these men of faith were on their way to hear Jesus. I can imagine that after previously hearing Jesus speak and seeing him heal and deliver, and after believing themselves, their new-found faith might very well have caused them to carry a total stranger to Jesus.

Here is another reason I believe this. Because I've seen it happen at our church, where people have been very excited about their new life in Christ. I can think of three particular young believers who "carried" total strangers to church on a regular basis. So that some men, full of faith, would act with compassion, to give what they had themselves received directly from Jesus, doesn't seem the least bit strange to me. Actually, I have to believe that this should be the rule and not the exception, and not something that seems so out of the ordinary.

So while it might seem a bit stranger than if it had been “friends” who carried this man to Jesus, and not what is traditionally assumed, I believe this is the way it might well have happened. And going against the traditional grain has never been a problem for me, as Mrs. Soileau can tell you. ;)

In His Grip,
Kevin