Just A Thought

 “A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed” is a phrase that describes the most important characteristic of a true friend. Most noteworthy, the phrase means that a true friend is the one who helps someone else at a time of need.

One day while Jesus was teaching, some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So, they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.  Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”  And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!  (Luke 5:17-26)

Can you imagine the paralyzed man’s thoughts?  He may have been a little nervous that his friends might drop him, that Jesus would turn him away or that their efforts would be in vain. But Jesus never disappoints, instead He is touched and moved by our willingness to act in faith and our trust in Him. 

The paralyzed man in Luke 5, had friends indeed! They went the extra mile by cutting a hole in the house roof where Jesus was teaching and lowering their friend down so he could be touched by Jesus. These friends were instrumental in the life of their friend – a man who experienced a life change!

Have you met anyone lately who has never even heard about Jesus, His love, His healing or saving power? There are many!  All it takes is a kind word, a helping hand…. small gestures that mean so much to those in need, or to those who haven’t experienced the presence of God yet.

In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus taught: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Can I just encourage you today?  The more you share the light within you, the more you want to share!  Even if you have felt ineffective in reaching out in the past, it was not in vain.  You planted seed in someone’s heart; now God can do His work in their life! You can be more than a friend…. You can be the friend that leads someone to know ‘the friend that sticks closer than a brother’ – Jesus! God changes lives, but often people are the hands, feet and mouthpiece God uses to accomplish His Kingdom purpose on earth. We have the privilege to carry our friends, loved ones and even those we haven’t met to God in prayer and believe in faith that some of those searching people will cross our path. 

# posted by John W. Hanson @ Friday, November 14, 2025