Determined to get their friend to Jesus, they lifted enough roof tiles to lower their very sick friend to Jesus on his mat. It’s what friend do for friends. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Your sins are forgiven.” … Then he said, “Take up your mat and walk, and return to your home.” … Everyone was amazed and glorified God. (Paraphrase of Luke 5:17-27)
Lord Jesus, thank you for the kindness-extending, all-weather, tile-lifting friends you’ve given us. Companions in every season of life who groan and grow with us through highs and lows, thick and thin, “rapture and rupture,” merriment and misery. May we always be reciprocating the debt of love with the currency of your mercy and grace.
Just last night I enjoyed an amazing meal on a stormy Montana night with a group of friends with whom I’ve shared decades of mutual burden-bearing friendship. Hallelujah, the Gospel puts an end to posing and pretending, self-sufficiency and going it alone. Until you glorify us, all of us will experience seasons of struggle, moments of crises, and degrees of weakness that make “tile-lifting” friends of greater value than gold, “crypto,” and other temporal treasures. Indeed, Jesus, friendship is forever.
By your eternal design and astonishing love, we will live forever in the new heaven and new earth—knowing each other there better than we ever could have here. Tears and heartaches shared in this life will all be healed by your hand and heart. Laughter shared in this life will only be louder there. Adventures and stories begun in this life will be brought to glorious fulfillment when you return, Jesus. Hallelujah!
Lastly for today, Jesus, thank you for honoring the faith of our friends when our own faith grows pain-thin and life-battered. Thank you that we can believe for each other. Hallelujah, 70 times 7. So Very Amen.