Lowered Hands, Lifted Hearts
“A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that He had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and He preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 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. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in His spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and He said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So He said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12 (NIV)
Some friends bring snacks and iced coffee.
Some bring gossip and drama.
And a rare few will bring you straight to the feet of Jesus.
In Mark’s gospel, we read about a paralyzed man who couldn’t get to Jesus on his own. His friends were part of the rare few—they carried him through the crowd, climbed up onto a roof, tore a hole in it, and lowered him down, bringing him to the Healer. Jesus, seeing their faith, not only healed the man’s body but forgave his sins. Let that sink in:
“When Jesus saw their faith…”
This wasn’t just a miraculous healing story. It was a moment built on bold, spiritual friendship—the kind that doesn’t quit when the door is blocked. The kind of friendship that climbs, digs, tears, lifts, and lowers in faith. You weren’t meant to do life—or faith—alone. Sometimes the miracle you need starts with the people you’re walking with. But not all friends are created equal. You don’t just need friends, you need friends who will carry you when you can’t walk, pray when you can’t speak, and tear through ceilings if it means getting you to Jesus. Do you have “tear off the roof” friends in your life? And more importantly—are you one?
Mark 2 tells us that Jesus healed the paralyzed man because of his friends’ faith, not his own. They believed so strongly in Jesus’s power that they refused to let physical, social, or structural obstacles stop them. When their friend couldn’t move, they carried him. When there was no way in, they created one. This is the power of spirit-filled friendship: friends who bring you to Jesus when you can’t get there on your own. A friend in one of my small groups once described our time together perfectly: “Yes, and..” She explained that yes, we will listen to and validate each other’s struggles and then bring each other to the feet of Jesus. (If that doesn’t tell you how blessed we are to have that group of friends, I don’t know what will!) Sometimes we need the faith of others when ours is weak. We have to surround ourselves with friends who will pray when we can’t, lift us up when we’re low, and believe for us when our hope is gone. God often uses those people in our lives to strengthen us when our faith is weak. We are designed for community (side note: Jennie Allen has an incredible book on this topic, Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World), and the right friendships can literally change our lives—just like they did for the man on the mat.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12—Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either one of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
“Tear off the roof” friends are rare, but essential. They are willing to carry your burdens (Galatians 6:2). They don’t just talk about Jesus, the lead you closer to Him. They are persistent and show up when it’s inconvenient. They love you enough to disrupt the “roof” of comfort or fear. They’ll pray with you and for you, call you out in love when you’re drifting, and speak life when you’re filled with doubt. “Tear off the roof” friends aren’t interested in surface-level connection. They’re invested in your soul. Here’s a mini call-out: ask yourself—do my closest friends bring me closer to God or further away?
There are many examples of godly friendships found throughout scripture. David and Jonathan’s story of friendship can be found in 1 Samuel 18. “Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself” (v.1). When Saul, his father, went after David’s life, Jonathan risked his own future to protect him, honoring their covenant and putting God’s anointed king first. One of the most well-known biblical friendships, that of Ruth and Naomi, is a testament to commitment and shared faith. Naomi had lost everything, but Ruth refused to abandon her, committing not just to her mother-in-law but to her God. In Ruth 1:16-17, Ruth boldly declares, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it every so severely, if even death separates you and me.” Paul and Timothy demonstrate how a friendship can manifest as mentoring, spiritual growth and partnership. Paul poured into Timothy spiritually, encouraging him to fan the flame of God’s gifts to him (2 Timothy 1:2-5). Did you catch what all of these friendships have in common? These God-designed friendships were rooted in loyalty, faith, and spiritual purpose, not just convenience.
Many believers feel isolated—especially in today’s digital, distracted world. But God often brings people into your life after you start showing up with intention. If you’re longing for deeper, godly friendships:
Pray for godly community. God knows what (and who) you need (Psalm 68:6). Trust God’s timing in building those authentic relationships.
Join a small group, Bible study, or serve in your church. Friendships grow where purpose is shared (Hebrews 10:24-25). The key to joining a group is to keep showing up. You’re probably not going to make friends the very first time you go. Consistency builds connection.
Be the friend you wish you had. Like actions attract like hearts.
To become a “tear off the roof” friend, you don’t have to be perfect or have all the answers. You just need to be willing! Here are some tips:
1) Be intentional in checking in and praying for your friends.
Set a recurring reminder on your phone to check in with one friend every week. You could send a simple text like: “Hey, how can I pray for you this week?”
2) Pray for your friends consistently, not just when they ask. Commit to being consistent, not just available when its easy.
Keep a “Friends’ Prayer Journal” or note on your phone. Pray over their spiritual walk, relationships, work, or health. Even just lifting up your friend’s name to God keeps your heart connected and spiritually supportive.
3) Show up. Your presence matters so much more than your words.
Don’t wait to be asked. Drop off a coffee. Sit with them without offering advice. Just. Listen. Sometimes ministry looks like simply being present.
4) Be bold enough to speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
I know this won’t sound popular, but I don’t actually want ride-or-die friends. I want friends who will (lovingly) tell me when I’m wrong, not just co-sign my stupidity. If a friend is making a harmful decision, don’t avoid it. Truth without love is harsh. Love without truth is hollow. You need both!
5) Encourage spiritual growth.
Share scripture, invite your friends to church, ask them about how you can support them on their walk with God. Send a verse, podcast, or online message to encourage them.
6) Offer practical help in times of need.
Help with meals, offer childcare, give rides—be the hands and feet of Jesus! Love looks like action, not just intention.
The friends in Mark 2 didn’t wait for an easier path. They didn’t take “no room” for an answer. Their faith made a way and their love moved the impossible. To be a good, godly friend you need the kind of faith that tears through roofs. What kind of friends do you have around you? Will you be the kind that leads others to Jesus, no matter the cost? Reach out to a friend today. Pray together. Lift each other up. Real friendship in Christ isn’t just about encouragement, it’s about eternity. And real friends don’t just bring snacks—they bring scripture.
Jesus, thank You for the gift of friendship and for showing us through the story of the paralyzed man what faith in action looks like: friends who refused to give up, who broke through barriers, and who believed in healing even when it seemed impossible. God, I ask You to make me that kind of friend. Help me to love with boldness and to show up when others are too weak to move on their own. Teach me to pray faithfully for my friends. Bring godly friendships into my life rooted in truth, grace, and Your Word. Let me be the kind of friend who climbs the roof, tears through the barriers, and brings others closer to You. Jesus, You are the greatest friend I could ever have. Amen!