Carried to Jesus
I couldn’t get to Him on my own.
I’d heard the news. Jesus was back in town. And people were saying the same things again … He’s healing people … He’s different … You’ve got to see Him.
But for me, just getting across the room was a struggle. So I stayed where I always stayed. On the mat. Watching life happen around me. If I’m honest, life felt heavy. I had been paralyzed as long as I could remember. The only way I got anywhere was if someone carried me. Most days were spent begging…trying not to feel like a burdenTrying not to disappear. But somewhere along the way, I found something I didn’t expect. Four friends.
Not the kind who nod as they pass by. Not the kind who feel bad for you and keep moving. These were the kind who stayed. Who showed up. Who sacrificed their time and energy to make sure I was okay. They didn’t just see my problem…they saw me.
They became my brothers. And that day…they showed up differently. I could hear it before I saw it. Something in their voices. Something in their pace. They weren’t hesitant. They weren’t debating. They were locked in.“ We’re taking you to Jesus”.
Before I could respond, they had me lifted. I remember the awkwardness of it…the shifting weight, their arms straining to get a grip. We moved through the streets, people staring, dust kicking up beneath their feet.Then we hit the crowd.
Wall to wall. Shoulder to shoulder. No space. No way in. I thought, here we go again…close, but not close enough. But my friends weren’t wired like that. Next thing I know, they’re moving me toward the side of the house…then up. Step by step. Grip by grip. You ever try to carry a grown man onto a roof? It’s not smooth. That’s work.
I could hear them breathing harder now. Adjusting. Slipping. Catching themselves. Then the tearing started. Wood cracking. Dirt falling. Voices shouting from below. The whole room stopped and looked up. It wasn’t clean or quiet. It was messy…bold…maybe even a little reckless.
But it was faith.
Not the kind that talks about what God could do. The kind that says, we’re getting him there no matter what it takes. Then they started lowering me down. Slowly. Carefully. Right into the middle of the room. Everything went quiet.
I found myself face to face with Jesus. Not rushed. Not overlooked. Just…seen. Then He looked up. At them.
Scripture says, “When Jesus saw their faith…” (Mark 2:5) Not just mine. Theirs.
Their faith moved.
Their faith acted.
Their faith tore through a roof to get me to Jesus.
And then Jesus spoke. “Son, your sins are forgiven.” I didn’t expect that. I came for my legs. He went for my heart.
Before He changed what everyone could see…He healed what no one else could. Then He said, “Get up. Take your mat and go home.” And in a moment, everything changed. Strength rushed into legs that hadn’t moved in years. Muscles came alive. Balance returned. I stood.
The room erupted. People stepping back. Eyes wide. Whispering. Shouting. But I wasn’t looking at them.
I looked up.
Four faces. Covered in sweat. Dirt on their hands. Smiling…some of them crying…like they had just won something.
Those weren’t just friends. Those were mat carriers.
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I share this perspective of this story we find in the book of Mark because honestly…we all need mat carries like that.
There are seasons where we can’t carry ourselves. When faith feels thin. When getting to Jesus feels like too much weight. That’s where God places people in our lives.
Not perfect people. Not polished people. But people with the kind of faith that moves.
The kind that shows up. The kind that lifts. The kind that says, “If you can’t get there, I’ll help carry you.” And here’s the part we don’t always talk about…We’re called to be those people too.
Faith isn’t just something we believe. Faith moves. Faith shows up. Faith carries.
It looks like checking in when everyone else assumes someone is fine.
It looks like inviting someone into community when they’d never walk in alone.
It looks like praying and then stepping in to help.
Because sometimes, the miracle in someone else’s life starts with your willingness to move.
So let me ask you:
Who are your mat carriers right now? And just as important…Who is God asking you to carry?
If you don’t have an answer to one of those, maybe that’s your next step. Step into community. Say yes to that invitation. Find your people. Because Jesus is still healing. Still forgiving. Still changing lives.
And sometimes…He chooses to do it through people willing to grab a corner of the mat and move.
Learn more about ways to connect in community here:
https://www.flatironschurch.com/men/ Or https://www.flatironschurch.com/women/
If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.