The Paralytic

In forty-eight hours, I will be on a flight heading to Paris, France en route to begin my pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago.  I was just looking back at some of my writing when I served as a missionary in Rwanda for almost six years.  I discovered this "broadcast report" and felt moved to post it here.  I ask you to pray that, just as God healed the paralytic man through the faithful intervention of the man's friends, that you, my friends, will also intervene in prayer for me during this time of "walking." Here's what I wrote:

            I have recently been pondering the story from Mark 2:1-12 where Jesus heals the paralytic.  Most of you are familiar with the story.  Jesus is staying at Simon Peter’s home in Capernaum, and all the neighbors have gathered to see Him and hear what He has to say.  Four men approach the home carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.  It is impossible for them to squeeze him through the large crowd that presses up against the door and into the house.  The four men could have become discouraged and taken their friend back to his own home.  But what do they do?  They climb up to the roof and begin to dig a sizable hole through the packed clay roof supported by wood beams and branches!  Then, they gently lower their paralyzed friend down through the hole into the presence of Jesus.

            With the possible exception of the packed clay roof, this story seems to have little to do with life here in Rwanda.  But, for me, this story is very significant.  Over three years ago, as I was preparing to come to Rwanda, I was struggling to know whether I should seek sponsorship from a traditional mission-sending organization or if I should try some alternative means.

One evening, just before dusk as the slanting rays of the sun were sliding down below the horizon, I was lying on my bed crying out to the Lord about this concern.  Suddenly, it seemed that the Lord spoke very clearly to me – not with words – but with an overwhelming impression.  I clearly understood, “I am like the paralyzed man.  I am prepared to start walking, and even believe that God is calling me to walk, but I seem to be paralyzed and can’t get moving!”

            Two days later, I met with some friends to pray together about my concerns.  I had not mentioned this experience to them.  Before we began to pray, one friend shared, “Martha, you are like the paralyzed man who was lowered down through the roof by his friends.  Like the paralytic’s friends, we are here to pray for you and to help you come into the presence of Jesus.”  At that moment, I marveled that God had given the same biblical impression to both me and my friend!

            Recently, I have been pondering this same story from Mark chapter 2.  Of course, I have not been paralyzed physically, but there have been times when I have felt paralyzed spiritually.  This has been a year of transitions, and for me, transitions are hard.  It is tempting to cling to my “mat” – to grasp tightly to things that are familiar to me (but not necessarily good for me) or even to nurse old wounds that prevent me from stepping out of my comfort zones.

Instead, God has been challenging me to take up my mat and to begin to walk in newness of life.  And He is doing this in a way that is similar to this story about the paralyzed man.  First, like this man, who had a committed group of friends to help him come into the presence of Jesus, I have been surrounded by many people who have written encouraging emails to me, who have prayed for me, who have sent boxes of delicious – but inaccessible – foods to me!  My dad even sent pancake mix and syrup to me and a friend sent a thumbnail drive to help me save my computer data.  Another friend helped me locate a new company for health insurance which is much cheaper and more comprehensive than my previous insurance (and much easier to get too!)  These sound like small things, and perhaps they are.  But, that is not the point.  The point is that God has surrounded me with loving friends and family who have “carried” me when I felt that I was incapable of walking myself.

Interestingly, when Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead, He turned to the mourners gathered at the tomb and said, “You take off his grave clothes” (John 11:44).  Jesus could have done it alone, but he chose to have Lazarus’ friends do it instead.  In the same way, many of you have been there for me and I am grateful to you.

Secondly, just as Jesus said to the paralytic, I have heard Him say to me, “Your sins are forgiven” (v.5).  While my friends have rallied around me with prayers, letters and gifts, Jesus has been meeting my deepest need - to know His love and forgiveness.  In Psalm 32, the psalmist exclaims, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered…When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long…Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity…And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

Just before Jesus forgives this man’s sins, Mark writes, “When Jesus saw their faith…”  The text note for verse 5 implies that Jesus saw not only the bold faith of the friends, but also the faith of the paralytic man himself.  This is comforting to me…that Jesus doesn’t see a sinner (i.e., me) who seems to be a lost cause, but instead sees a person of faith who simply needs an encouraging touch by the Savior.

Thirdly, Jesus says to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat, and go home.”  For me, these words, “go home” do not only mean to go to one’s house.  They also mean “Go to the place of spiritual security where you first knew the love of your Father.  Go to the place where you first entered into the freedom and forgiveness of God and remember from whence you have come.”

In the same way, Jesus tells the paralytic to go home.  He tells him to return to the place when he knew God’s greatest blessing.  And so, the man stands up and rejoices to find that he can not only walk, but that he can walk with renewed freedom and joy!  His friends are rejoicing with him, his sins are forgiven, and his body is now freed from the bondage of sin and death.

Learning these truths has been significant for me, and I wanted to share them with you.  Like the paralytic, God has been teaching me how to walk again…to “walk in truth” (III John v. 4); to “walk in obedience” (II John v. 6); to “walk in the light” (I John 1:7); and to walk in love” (II John v.6).

And now, years after writing these words, and as I prepare to walk the "Camino," may I - like the paralytic and with the faithful intercession of my friends - take up my mat (or should I say, "my backpack") and also walk in truth, obedience, light and love.