Lower the Mat

"One, two, three, down!"


This must have been the words of the 4 men found in this passage:

 MARK 2 (NIV1984) Emphasis, mine
 ¹ A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ² So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by FOUR OF THEM. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, LOWERED THE MAT the paralyzed man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw THEIR FAITH, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 

Lower the mat.
"One, two, three, down!"


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Just for a brief background, the Book of Mark portrays Jesus Christ as the Servant of God, and was written for Roman readers. The object in writing is to clearly tell certain facts about Jesus' deeds. This book was the first gospel written, in print, among the other 3 gospels, Matthew, Luke and John.


This account can also be found in Matthew 9:1-8 and Luke 5:17-26.


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This account established the truth that it is Jesus' heart to heal. It is no question. It helped me have a firmer grasp of who Jesus is in this area. He is the Author and Healer of life and wants no other thing but to see His people have it and live it to the fullest. As a matter of fact, reading through, this account was 'sandwiched' by other different healing accounts ...


BEFORE. A man possessed by an evil spirit, Simon's mother-in-law, all the other sick and demon-possessed, a man with leprosy.


and AFTER. A dead girl, a sick woman, the blind, the mute, and the rest of the gospels tell more.


What an amazing, healing God!


Focusing the lens onto Jesus, I resonated on this: Compassion drives Jesus, but lack of faith, shuts him off. 


Lack of faith? It is a so-major-TURN OFF. It won't work. It is only by faith can we ever please God. That is why, no wonder, the entire Bible told, exhorted, taught so much about this word called F-A-I-T-H. Old and New Testament, in and out. Take your pick.


Lower the mat.
"One, two, three, down!" 


is the evident, active expression of faith of these 4 men, carrying the mat, and even by the paralytic himself. I believe that those men won't be carrying him (the paralytic) through the rooftops without his consent. Yes, he maybe paralyzed, but still he has a say as to what to do or not what to do with him. At least, to the carrying thing, they must agree.


They knew they can't just sit or stand still. They needed to do something. It was their faith --- active faith that stirred, moved, compelled and constrained them to do something to get into the feet of their Object of faith, Jesus.


"We just need you to get in there. By all means!"
For them, it is through the rooftop. They took the journey little by little by lowering the mat.


When Jesus saw their faith, THEIR FAITH. I needed to pause. THEIR FAITH. 


Got it? It is one thing to have faith, but to have others journey alongside with you, having the same faith is another.


Not just the faith of one man, but also the faith of the other men touched Jesus' heart.


Where there is faith, forgiveness and healing flourish.


The paralytic man got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, (v.12a)


The Lord be praised, indeed.


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To my friend "M", what you're going through now is a not so easy thing. The past few weeks must have been much of sleepless nights lying on your mat. I am willing to carry and lower your mat at Jesus' feet. I will journey alongside with you and your faith. Listen as I count with the others,


"One, two, three, down."


We are not just 4... there are many others with me by the way.