Read: Mark 2:1-5
On July 5, 1994, Alvin Straight began a journey that would bring him international acclaim and eventually spawn an Academy Award nominated movie. Just a few days earlier, the 73-year-old Straight heard that his brother Henry had suffered a stroke. Though they had been estranged for nearly a decade, Alvin decided it was important for him to go and help his brother through this difficult time. So, he packed up his stuff and prepared to make the 240-mile journey from Laurens, Iowa to Wisconsin, where his brother lived.
There was just one problem: Alvin Straight didn’t have a driver’s license. His eyesight kept him from even attempting to take the test. While that may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, it didn’t deter Mr. Straight. Determined to see his brother, Alvin climbed aboard the only vehicle he could still legally drive – his 1966 John Deere riding lawnmower. Over the course of the next six weeks, Alvin Straight traveled the back roads of the Midwest at a blistering 5 miles per hour. He dealt with everything from rain and mechanical breakdowns. Through it all, Mr. Straight never lost sight of his one goal – to get to his brother’s side.
Twenty years may have passed since Alvin Straight’s trip, but his story has lost none of its emotional kick. I mean, can you imagine such love and devotion? Can you even begin to comprehend driving a lawn mower across the country to see a family member in need? I know I can’t. I love my brothers very dearly and I can’t even begin to imagine making a trip like that. The devotion Alvin Straight showed to his brother is absolutely astounding. He was willing to do whatever it took to get to where his brother was.
Mark 2 contains the story of a group of four men who were equally as devoted to a cause. While the Bible nowhere records their names, their actions speak volumes of their character. These four men had a friend who had been paralyzed. Without a way to make a living, this crippled man was forced to spend his days begging for people to give him food and money, relying solely on the mercy and compassion of others.
One day, this man’s four friends heard that Jesus was coming into town. Though it was still early in Jesus’ ministry, his fame as a teacher and a healer had already begun to grow. When these four men heard about Jesus’ arrival they knew what they had to do: they had to take their paralyzed friend to see Him. Jesus had already healed so many. Surely, He could do something about their friend’s unfortunate predicament.
When they arrived at the place where Jesus was teaching, however, they found his chosen venue was already at capacity. The place was packed with those who had come to hear Jesus speak and watch Him perform miraculous acts. In fact, Mark says the lines were coming out the door of the house where Jesus was teaching. Undeterred by this development, the four men launched a daring plan to get Jesus’ attention. Completely ignoring any concept of decorum, these four men climbed up onto the roof of the house, cut a hole in the ceiling, and then lowered their crippled friend down into the house. It wasn’t the most detailed plan, but it got the job done.
Rather than chastise these four men for their blatant disregard of property laws, Jesus marveled at their faith. Their devotion and love for the man on the mat didn’t go unnoticed. It turns out Jesus was impressed by all they had done to help their friend in need. As a result, He healed their friend of his paralysis, giving him a chance for a better life:
Mark 2:10b-11: “[Jesus] said to the paralytic, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’”
Think about everything these men went through in order to get their friend to Jesus. First, they had to physically go and get him. Then, they had to carry him across town to the place where Jesus was. When their way was blocked, they literally destroyed someone’s private property in order to get their friend to the Savior. Nothing could stop them on their quest. They were willing to do whatever it took to get their friend to Jesus.
Why? Why would anyone go to so much trouble to get another person to Jesus? What would possess them to go to such lengths to bring someone to the Savior? I think the answer is simple: these four men believed that Jesus could give their friend a better life. They thought He could make a difference. For that reason, they did whatever was necessary to get their friend to where He was.
I want you to think about some of your friends who don’t know Jesus Christ. Do you believe Jesus can transform them? Do you think He can give them a better life? If so, what are you doing about it? What are you prepared to do about it? Because, if you really think He can help them, then you should be doing anything and everything within your power to get them to Him. No obstacle is too big; no cost is too high. As these four men show us, seeing a friend’s life transformed by Christ will be worth any sacrifice. Are you willing to do whatever it takes?
Questions to Consider:
What sacrifices are you willing to make in order to bring people to Jesus?
Read I Corinthians 9:19-23. What was Paul willing to do to save others?