1.17.2023 Devotion - "They Did What Their Friend Couldn't Do"

Four men carry a paralyzed man to Jesus, but can't get through the crowd. They decide to cut a hole in the roof and lower him down. Jesus heals the man because of their faith. We should reflect on the actions we take for others, making sure we are helping appropriately. We should ask ourselves what tasks others can do themselves and what we can do that others cannot. We should seek wisdom in caring for others. Good morning. Today's devotion is titled, They Did What Their Friend Couldn't Do. The scripture today comes from the book of Mark, chapter 2, verse 3 through 4. Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above Jesus' head. In the scene, Jesus is teaching in a home and people are so eager to hear him that they pack tightly into the house and outside as well. Four men have agreed to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, but they realize there is no way that they can get their friend in front of the master. Then one of the men suggests they climb to the roof and cut a hole through it so they can lower the man's palate down in front of Jesus. When they accomplish this task, Jesus is so moved by their faith that he heals the paralyzed man. How are the actions of these four men different from ours when we are overly involved in others' lives and need to take back our own life? Quite simply, they did it for the paralyzed man what he couldn't do for himself. If they had carried a friend to Jesus who was perfectly capable of walking there on his own, they would have been caring for him inappropriately and not really helping him or themselves. Ask yourself this question number one. Make a list of things you tend to do for others that they can and should do for themselves. Why do you think you do these things? And two, by contrast, what are some things you do or could do for others that they cannot do for themselves? Asking God, Father, help me to examine my motives as I seek to care for others. Help me to still be caring, but give me the wisdom to know when I am helping inappropriately. I hope that you find this devotion helpful for today in your recovery.