My life’s happenings prompt so many scriptural musings as I struggle in mortality. The last several months, particularly emotionally and socially challenging, find me continually pleading on my knees for understanding, increased faith, strength, comfort, peace, and prayers for those I love. Desperately needing healing by the great physician, my learning and healing process involves one of the hardest and greatest lessons imprinted in my heart, the role others play in God’s hands to touch and enrich my life, no matter the circumstances. Loyal friends, very few, and wealthy in loving kindness, patience, and prayers, willing to lift and carry me with my weighty load, break through the darkest stormy nights as twinkling beacons of hope. Always in my heart and prayers, these forever friends recognize my needs and together take me to the hard to reach rooftops of mustard seed-like faith and gently lower me from self-despairing heights to humility’s waiting tearful touches.
Photo taken by me September 2019
Three recorded accounts (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, and Luke 5:18-24) of a bed-lowering experience have often given me reason to pause, asking different questions. Because there are some variations, and I am a visual learner, I have chosen to merge them for a complete scene in my mind. These scriptures, uppermost in my mind and heart these last four weeks, involve loyal friends, in my opinion, and their desire to act with great compassion for one they love.
Questions are before the reading. Perhaps after you have read each section, you will have a comment or a question of your own for pondering.
=>Where does this event occur?
=>Why is there a gathering crowd?
Matthew 9
1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
Mark 2
1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
=>What happens, why, and how?
=>What efforts were made for this man with palsy?
Luke 5
18 ¶ And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
Mark 2
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
Luke 5
19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
=>How does Jesus respond? Why?
=>What do you think about the words he speaks?
=>Do they seem out of place?
=>Are there ‘hidden’ disabilities?
Matthew 9
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Mark 2
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Luke 5
20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
=>Why are there murmurings? In today’s world, as in the time of Jesus people make assumptions.
=>What are some things that can contribute to physical infirmities?
Mark 4
6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Luke 5
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
Matthew 9
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
=>What do we learn about Jesus?
=>Is there a connection between one’s spiritual and physical health and well-being?
Mark 4
8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
Luke 5
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
Matthew 9
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
=>When is the man healed?
Mark 4
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
Luke 5
24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
Matthew 9
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
=>How do the man and his companions react?
=>What is the reaction from the multitude?
=>How about you?
=>What is your response to the healing powers you seek, ask, and find?
Mark 4
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Luke 5
25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.
Matthew 9
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
I am impressed with the immediacy of the man’s response to taking up his bed. There was a need for him to act in faith. I think he exercised more faith than is seen in his physical healing. I am moved by the faith and loving kindness of his friends. Sometimes we need others to take us where we cannot go alone, allowing them to assist, and accept their willingness to do whatever it takes to get us to the place of healing. I think there is more to this than walking physically.
To blaze my trail of faith, I struggle, stumble, fall, scrape my knees, reach up my hands, and have been learning to trust those who love me, and care about the fulness of my well-being -mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and physical elements that make me whole. When I hear the gentle, calming, peaceful assurance that I am loved and my sins forgiven, I am reminded my Heavenly Father loves me and His Only Begotten Son died for me. I more easily face the trials of each day with insufficient grateful expressions. I hope my life will glorify God. I make my own trail, one I wish will survive for my posterity’s heritage, a legacy of hope, faith, love, and life.
I contemplate my blessings, healing gifts in my life, and those forever friends (Joseph, Robin, Elizabeth) who, without question and judgment, carry me on my bed of infirmities with their kindness, prayers, and faith. I am grateful for the watch care and love of my children: Rebekah, Sarah, Aaron, Emma, Leah, Lydia, Bethany, and Jacob. They dismantle the pride shingles to reveal a rooftop of mustard seed-like faith with their actions, acceptance, assistance, and efforts on my behalf. They are my inspiration. I love you and humbly thank you!!!! Those words seem so inadequate. I am indebted to you, always and forever. All four corners lovingly held by tender mercies!
1, 2, 3, 4 ever.
Life Happens in Scriptural Musings. . . so do Rooftops, Dioramas, Prayers, What Lack I Yet, Swords and Shields, Rescues, the Shepherd, and Faith and Wholeness.
Life Happens. . . so do Landscapes, and so do . . ?, and . . . so, Storms, Skeletons, Feet, Tents, Father/Daughter Memories, Missing Pieces, Waves, Gingerbread, What am I to do Now, and Choices.
I enjoyed reading your insights into this scripture story. You have such an understanding of the scriptures and what we can glean from them. In YSA today, we are going to discuss Elder Renland’s talk about the goodness and greatness of God. In it, he shares what King Benjamin counseled, “I would that you remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God…and his goodness and long-suffering towards you.” He says we need to do this each and every day, so that we qualify for remarkable heavenly blessings. I certainly know that when we do this, our focus becomes on how blessed we are and we recognize more fully, “His hand in all things.” As the storms roll in throughout our lives, our gratitude for all that God and the Saviour have done for us, will anchor us to them. I know at times, I have truly needed Him every hour. I am so grateful for being given life, for the remarkable atonement, and that one day, I will overcome death and live again with my family. These contemplations keep me hopeful and grateful. Love you…
Thank you for sharing your faith with me.