在福音书中我们看到人们为了帮助朋友或所爱的人来就近耶稣，这是其中的一个故事。有很多人聚集在一起，屋子都满了。有些人好奇，有些人疑惑，甚至有些人是来挑起争端的。当时“只有站的地方”，瘫子的朋友们进不去。难道没有人看到他们的需要而让出一条路吗？或许我们都会因此而内疚——太关注自己的利益而看不见周围人的需要。
这四个朋友不甘心他们的朋友被忽视。他们决定把他从房顶放下去见耶稣。这一定需要难以置信的团队协作。耶稣也看到了，而且祂看出了他们这么做背后的深厚信心，为的是把他们的朋友带到耶稣面前。
基督徒有很多的机会去帮助他人。例如，当自然灾害袭来时，教会和基督教机构会动员团队出去建造和修理房屋，捐赠食物和衣物，提供基金给有需要的地方。或许你已经付出了努力在这方面，或社区建设，或医疗诊所。需求无处不在！
今天，让我们睁大眼睛，看见周围那些需要帮助的人，他们或许也需要遇见耶稣。他们对主来说是宝贵的，也值得我们的付出。
父啊，我们太关注自己的需要，以至于有时候不能看到那些有更大需要的人。求祢使我们能看见，并有勇气奉祢的名去行动。阿们。
马可福音 2:1-12
1 过了些日子，耶稣又进了迦百农。人听见他在房子里，
2 就有许多人聚集，甚至连门前都没有空地。耶稣就对他们讲道。
3 有人带着一个瘫子来见耶稣，是用四个人抬来的。
4 因为人多，不得近前，就把耶稣所在的房子拆了房顶。既拆通了，就把瘫子连所躺卧的褥子都缒下来。
5 耶稣见他们的信心，就对瘫子说：“小子，你的罪赦了！”
6 有几个文士坐在那里，心里议论说：
7 “这个人为什么这样说呢？他说僭妄的话了！除了神以外，谁能赦罪呢？”
8 耶稣心中知道他们心里这样议论，就说：“你们心里为什么这样议论呢？
9 或对瘫子说‘你的罪赦了’，或说‘起来，拿你的褥子行走’，哪一样容易呢？
10 但要叫你们知道，人子在地上有赦罪的权柄。”就对瘫子说：
11 “我吩咐你，起来，拿你的褥子回家去吧！”
12 那人就起来，立刻拿着褥子，当众人面前出去了。以致众人都惊奇，归荣耀于神，说：“我们从来没有见过这样的事！”
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” — Mark 2:5
This is one of several gospel stories in which we see people approach Jesus in order to help a friend or loved one. So many people had gathered that the house was full. Some were curious; some were suspicious; some may even have come to stir up trouble. It was “standing room only,” and the friends of the paralyzed man could find no way in. Did no one see their need and offer to let them pass through? Perhaps we have all been guilty of that—so focused on our own interests that we can’t see the needs around us.
The four friends refused to let their friend be overlooked. They decided to lower him through the roof of the house to see Jesus. It had to be an incredible group effort. Jesus saw it too, and he recognized the depth of their faith in going so far to bring their friend to him.
Christians have had many opportunities to help others. When natural disasters strike, for example, churches and Christian organizations have mobilized teams to go out and build or repair homes, donate food and clothes, and provide funds where needed. Perhaps you have helped in such efforts, or with community development or medical clinics. There are needs everywhere!
Let’s keep our eyes open to see people around us today who need help and may also need to meet Jesus. They are precious to the Lord and well worth our efforts.
Father, we get so focused on our own needs that we sometimes fail to recognize people with even greater needs. Give us eyes to see and courage to act in your name. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
