「耶穌見他們的信心，就對癱子說：『你的罪赦了。』」 路5:20
當你身陷困境或麵對危機時，你可以向誰求救呢？你需要援助、坦誠忠告或鼓勵時，你可以找誰呢？我希望你有一些隨時都願意支持你的好朋友。
在這個年代，真摯的友誼似乎是罕有的福分。很多人把自己弄得太忙碌，以致沒有時間和精力去培養深入的關係。人們時常彼此說：「讓我們改天聚一聚吧」，可惜卻甚少發生。
今日故事中的癱子，終日臥在褥子上，甚至不能自己轉身。幸而他有一些不嫌麻煩盡力幫助他的朋友，他們把他抬到耶穌那裏，因為他們相信耶穌能醫治他。但因人多堵塞進口，他們便用了頗為極端的方法，務求他們的朋友見到耶穌。
耶穌看見這些朋友的信心，很高興。祂看見付諸行動的信心，祂看見排除萬難的愛心，祂看見這些人無比的關懷和決心，確保把朋友帶到祂麵前。
耶穌也知道，這人不單需要身體的醫治，他的心靈亦需要與神和好。你是否願意不嫌麻煩帶領你的朋友到耶穌那裏，好叫他們也有機會與神和好呢？
THE COST OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20
Who do you call on when you’re in serious trouble or facing a crisis? Who can you count on for help, for honest advice, for encouragement? I hope you have some good friends who are always there for you.
True friendship seems to be a rare gift these days. Many people have made themselves too busy to truly invest the time and energy it takes to develop significant relationships. Often people say to each other, “We’ll have to get together soon”--but it seldom happens.
The paralyzed man in our story for today was confined to a mat. He couldn’t even move himself around, but he had some friends who were willing to go out of their way to help. They took him to Jesus, believing that Jesus could heal him. And when the crowd blocked their way, they took some drastic measures to make sure their friend could meet Jesus.
When Jesus sees the faith of these friends, he loves what he sees. He sees faith in action. He sees love that is not held back by barriers. He sees people caring and determined enough to get their friend to him.
Jesus also knows that this man needs more than healing in his body; he has a heart that needs to be made right with God. Do we care enough to go out of our way to try to connect our friends with Jesus so that they can be made right with God?
PRAYER
Lord, fill our hearts with compassion and love that’s willing to be inconvenienced by the needs of friends and acquaintances. Help us introduce them to you. In your name, Amen.
