This week our E-Bible study group has been focused on the passage from Mark 2:1-12 about the paralytic who was carried to Jesus by four friends.  The passage notes that Jesus’ ministry has become so popular that there are crowds all around him, and that some who need to get to Jesus are inhibited from doing so.  It seems a bit odd to me that one could ever think that there are things that can keep us from Jesus.  The scripture passage that often comes to mind is the one that notes that “nothing can separate us from the love of God;” not kingdoms or municipalities, not worldly or heavenly things.  But…often in this day and age we are kept form hearing and seeing Christ amongst us, as our busy lives “interfere” with our spiritual pursuits.  Kid’s ball games and school events; work schedules and deadlines, health concerns and doctor’s appointments, they all can “get in the way.” Can’t they? And, of course, that is part of the world we live in, and difficult for us to get around those demands.

      One of the things that strikes me about this passage is the implication that we all need someone else to help us come closer to Jesus.  The paralytic had his four friends that got him through the crush of the crowd and even the roof, so that this man could find Jesus and be made whole.  We, too, need others in our faith walks to encourage us along the way, when the world seems to intrude, and also to point the way to Jesus when we lose sight of our ultimate goal—a deeper relationship with God through Christ.  We are called to be a “faith community” and that implies that we need each other, and are encouraged to be together as often as possible.  Worshipping, learning about God, and serving in Christ’s name.  In the process, we too can bring our friends and acquaintances to Christ.

Have a blessed week!