THE FAMILY OF GOD

The Family of God

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God—
I’ve been washed in the fountain,
Cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod;
For I’m part of the family, the family of God.

In Mark 2:1-5, Jesus heals a paralytic of his spiritual and physical needs. If we just look at the surface of this story, we may only see the miracle that took place; but, there is so much more. The story begins with Jesus coming back into Capernaum. When the people heard that Jesus was at home they came in large numbers. Jesus most likely made his home at Peter’s house when in Capernaum. This response to Jesus was the same response He got earlier in Mark 1:32-33, 37, when He healed a number of sick and demon possessed people. In fact, there were so many people at the house that they quickly ran out of room. When everyone arrived, Jesus began to preach the Word to them. At the same time, a group of friends came to the house bringing one of their paralytic friends. Not much is said about this man’s condition, but because his friends had to carry him, we can assume that he could not walk on his own. Upon their arrival at the house, they realized they were faced with a problem. There was no way they were going to get their friend in the house in the traditional way. They decided to go on the rooftop and lower him through the roof. A typical house in the Middle East had a flat roof that was accessible by an outside staircase. The roof was often made of a thick layer of clay, supported by mats of branches across wooden beams. This was obviously not an easy task for the paralyzed man’s friends, but they cared enough for him that they were willing to go the extra mile. After getting through the roof, they lowered their friend down to Jesus. The next line in scripture is crucial. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’ (Mark 2:5).” It was not only the faith of the one in need, but also the faith of those who brought him, that moved Jesus to heal him.
I sit here today with a very grateful heart. Grateful for the blessings God has bestowed upon my family and me; grateful for the concern God has for me. For God’s love and His faithfulness and for the privilege to call Him friend and Lord, I am also grateful. But, what I am most grateful for right now is the family of God. Being a part of God’s family brings with it countless blessings. I could go on and on and tell you story after story of how the faith of my friends has brought healing to my life. I can also tell you how I have seen the family of God help one another through very difficult days. Right now in our lives and the life of our church, we need the family of God more than ever. Without that support system, which God set up and ordained, we would be drifting alone in this world. It is in good times and bad times that we need one another. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who had called you out of darkness into His wonderful light! (I Peter 2:9)”

Your brother in Christ,
Aaron Hodges