Go the Distance

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.” And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12

I’m fascinated by the 4 men who were carrying the paralytic. How far and how long did it take for these men to carry him? Furthermore, once they arrived at the house, how long did it take to uncover the roof and pick up the paralytic and gently lower him into the house? They must have already been exhausted after arriving at the house where Jesus was teaching. These 5 men, the 4 carrying him and the paralytic, believed in Jesus’ power so much they were willing to go the distance to be in His presence. 4 men must have really loved the paralytic to agree to do whatever was necessary to get their moment with the Miracle Worker.

Can you imagine the hope the paralytic might have felt on the way to the house where Jesus was teaching? I can imagine him saying, “We’re almost there. Just a little longer. You guys are doing great. You’ve gone this far; you can’t stop now.” Or maybe the 4 men carrying him were filled with a supernatural adrenaline & strength because they were so excited about the miracle that was about to happen. Maybe as they were walking, they were discussing all they miracles they’d heard Jesus had performed.

Here is what we know:

• All 5 agreed to see a miracle.
• They exercised their faith by going the distance
• They all believed in The Miracle Worker.
• They got what they came for.

Your miracle is just around the corner. You’re almost there. Don’t give up. How must you exercise your faith to see your miracle occur? Who will stand in agreement with you in expectant hope of the exciting miracle? How can you keep your hope alive and active while you wait?

“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”