Partnering in Action
Mark 2: 1-12
One of the most engaging examples of partnership in action is the account of the healing of the paralytic in Mark 2. Jesus was in Capernaum. Such a large crowd gathered to hear him teach that it was impossible for the friends of a paralyzed man to carry him into the house where the Healer was. So they carried him up on the roof, dug a hole in it and lowered him through it. Jesus forgave the paralyzed man his sins and healed him. Little surprise that everyone was amazed! It’s a great story. But it’s also a great example of partnership in action! And as we read through the account we can see that it includes many of the key elements of any effective partnership.
The Partners - We know there were at least five active partners in this story: the paralytic and the four men who carried him (vs. 3). But it is likely that there were more than just these five men. The text states “some men came, bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them.” These men were committed to working together. They had a vision, a purpose and a plan. They faced obstacles in achieving the goal of their partnership, but they were willing to pay the costs, and they reaped the reward for working together.
The Vision - This partnership was driven by a vision - the healing of their paralyzed friend. We have here a vivid picture of a man unable to walk, and the desperate determination of his friends to get him to Jesus.
The Purpose - The partners had a very clear purpose and it was very simple. Their purpose was to take their friend to Jesus, and they were certain he would have compassion on their friend and would heal him. Indeed, the vision and the purpose here were interrelated.
The Plan - It was a simple plan to fulfill a simple purpose. Their plan was to find out where Jesus was, to carry their friend to him, and to ask Jesus to heal him.
The Obstacles - Although they had a good plan, plans do not always work smoothly. The partners had not reckoned on the popularity of the Healer. When they arrived at the house with the paralyzed man, “they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd.” (vs.4) What were the partners to do? These partners were clearly creative thinkers because they carried their friend up the outside staircase and onto the flat roof. Once there, they made an opening in the roof, and they lowered their friend though the hole and placed him at the feet of Jesus.
The Cost - There is a cost to partnering, and we need to be willing to pay it if our partnerships are to succeed. The members of this particular partnership were probably very unpopular with the homeowner for damaging his roof. I imagine he expected them to pay for the damage done. So for these partners, there was a cost to pay, both monetary and physical, that led to the success of their venture.
The Reward - But what an amazing reward the partners were given! Jesus touched their paralyzed friend at his point of spiritual and physical need and healed him. All the planning, working through the obstacles, and paying the costs, were worth it! These friends had partnered together - and their partnership had amazing and very worthwhile results.
As we reflect on this example of partnering, how does it measure up to our own partnering efforts? Are we certain of our vision and purpose? Do we plan sufficiently? Do we respond well to the obstacles we face? Are we willing to pay the cost?
In their partnership, the partners had great faith - and Jesus saw their faith. In our partnerships, do we exercise that same kind of faith? Jesus will reward OUR faith and OUR faithfulness in our partnerships!
John Rogers
Interdev Partnership Associates
Development Associates International
Senior Consultant-Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Russia
Used with permission from Interdev Partnership Associates
Originally published in Interwoven: The Strength of Partnership
Copyright 2007 by Interdev Partnership Associates
PO Box 1331
Edmonds, WA 98026
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