The Need to be Carried

​Text: ​Mark 2:1-12  When Jesus came back to Capernaum a few days later, it was heard that He was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3 And some people came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. 4 And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you thinking about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralyzed man, 11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.” 12 And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”


Questions to Consider:

1. What is a sin struggle or a prayer need that you have personally right now? Will you reach out to someone and have them "carry" that load with you?

​2. Do you find it hard to be carried by others (I do)? Why do you think that is? 

3. Do you have a community of people that you can confess sin to and "bear one another's burdens" with? If not, please reach out Erick Frank so that he can get you placed in a community group. 

And some people came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men.

This man was not struggling. He was not just in a bad place or season in his life. He was helpless and hopeless and that is exactly where Christ wanted him. No man has ever come to Christ who did not have a need for Christ. It is not until a man or woman becomes helpless and hopeless that they are truly ready to receive Christ. But how many of us know that we can be helpless and still reject help; hopeless and still find fleeting things to hope in? We are unable to bring about the healing or result we deeply desire, but yet reject the help and plan that God has in line for us? This man could have said to the men carrying him, “Put me down! I don't need any help! I can make it on my own!” But no, he had faith that Christ could heal and he laid down his pride and submitted his will to be carried.
Some of you reading this have the need to be carried by those who have been placed in your life to carry you during this season. But, one of the main reasons you may not is because there is still a glimmer of hope that you can solve all the issues you are facing. You still have hope in your own strength, or means of this world to bring about the desired results. But if you take a step back you will realize that you have fought and failed with the struggles, the sin, the oppression and the pain in your life-- but have not truly found victory. You have been striving alone, maybe even for years, but coming up short. The same issues that oppressed you before are still hanging around. This is a plan and tactic of the devil to keep us in a cycle of our own control and power. Every other religion in the world says "this is the way"; only Christianity says "Christ is the way."
The state of this man reminds me of Paul's in Acts 27. He is on a ship as a prisoner and a massive, mighty storm comes. They begin to throw things overboard hoping that they could save themselves from death. Nothing works. Fear, turmoil, anxiety and death are on that ship. Then verse 20 says: “Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.” They lost hope in savings themselves after they had tried everything they could; and they allowed themselves to be driven and carried along by the waves in the storm. This is one of the hardest places for us to get to in life. The place of complete surrender and the acknowledgment of our hopelessness, weakness and inability to fix or save ourselves. Personally, I don't like this place, and I don't like having to be carried; but everyone will reach this place in their life from time to time. It is pride that keeps us from being carried. Paul tried everything he could, but it was not working; only surrender would get him to where God wanted him to be. Paul ends up crash landing on an island called Malta where revival breaks out and he sees a whole island come to know Christ. So because he lost hope in himself and his own power to save himself; he was allowed to encounter and experience God in a new way and fulfill God's hidden will for his life, which was to preach the gospel to the people of Malta.
Often times, we can try and carry others to distract for the fact that we are the ones who need to be carried. This happens quite often with those who minister. In a world of busyness and having others relying on us; we can make it seem like we are doing good to others around us. Yet, God sees the nights of weeping, He sees the fears and anxieties, He sees the secret strongholds of sin that we run to. 
This paralyzed man allowed himself to be carried by his friends because he reached the point of no longer trusting in his own strength and ability to save himself; or to find fleeting things to hope in. Remember-- the good things often keep us from the best things. 
Look at your life today and see the things that are ailing you and that you cannot get victory over. Have you reached the same place as this man? God has brought, and is currently bringing people into your life that are there as a means to carry you to the feet of Jesus. Will you allow the Lord to bless you with the men and women that He has brought to you as a means of healing? They will not heal you and they cannot save you; but they know the One who can. This is why the community, fellowship and breaking of bread amongst believers is so important; to sacrificially carry those in need, and to humbly be carried when we are in need.