“Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.””
Mark 2:3-5 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, 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 by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Notice their cooperation. Mark’s passage tells us these four men worked together to get the job done. They knew that they could not do it alone, so they worked with one another. They got together and decided what each one needed to do. Their effort was coordinated. If they had worked hard, but in different directions, the man would have never reached Jesus. Division in the house of God will lead to no good end and the loss of many opportunities to lead the lost to the Savior
No one could do it alone. One may have concern for others, but unless that concern is shared, it doesn't result in much. It also takes cooperation with others that gets a task done. To be servants of Jesus Christ requires cooperation, a working together, to accomplish the goal.’
Some people see faith as something just between “me and God”. “It's no one else's business.” That just isn't true. God has a plan that we work together and serve together to accomplish His plan and that is what grows our faith. Yes, Jesus calls us individually, but after that, notice the cooperation needed with one another as His spirit moves to glorify God and save others.
People give cooperatively to accomplish God's work. People have different jobs in the church to accomplish and advance God's kingdom. He calls different people to different tasks. To worship, to witness, to serve. We can do together what we cannot do by ourselves.
The same is true with the work of missions. Some go out to foreign countries, while others stay behind in supporting roles with prayer, and financial support. Both groups are serving, both are playing a part, and both according to God’s word will share in the harvest. Both will share in the blessings. The work of missions needs cooperation. The work of missions needs different people to do different jobs.
Jesus calls us all into groups. He chose the twelve disciples and sent them out together, two by two, to preach and teach. He does that today. We need a praying team of people for various ministries. Without prayers to intercede for workers and laborers the job will not be accomplished. Many are willing to work, but it might be the work of men and not of God.
Application: What comes to your mind? How are you part of the team of witnesses and workers for the Lord? What is your part? It is important!
Prayer: Lord, let everything I do serve as a witness to You. May I live in such a way that when others see me, they see You. To God be the Glory.
