In Mark 2, we see four men bearing a fifth to the Lord for help. Notice how they dealt with the obstacles they encountered on the way. Nothing deterred their resolute determination to accomplish their task, namely, to bring a needy soul to Christ.
The very first wall was the crowd, the press. This would have ended the trip for the modern-day, half-hearted, non-committed, so-called soul winner. These four would let nothing keep them from their committed purpose. In the same way today, we are often pressed (don’t they call it “peer pressure”?) by people to keep from being soul winners.
Notice too, how these four removed a portion of the roof — the second wall — so they could let the sick man down to Jesus. Herein is a deep lesson in cooperation. They worked as a team. Each man had to attend carefully to his corner of responsibility, holding the bed steady, keeping his attention focused on the goal — to get a needy soul to Christ.
Each man had to consider the other three and work in accord as they encountered the third wall. Self, the “flesh” — is most often the most formidable barrier, making cooperation with others difficult. Each of the four had to depend on the other three. It had to be an effort of teamwork — togetherness. Otherwise the poor, helpless man might never have been brought to the Saviour.
There could be no self-seeking for individual glory by trying to outdo the others, no acts of stubbornness or selfwill. Only selflessly acting in unison could get the job done, to overcome the hindering walls, and get the needy soul to Jesus. What a demonstration of interdependence and grace on the part of each on this team.
The Lord enjoys seeing individual Christians in an assembly, and groups of assemblies, acting in dependence on Him in faith, and cooperating harmoniously together. Thus we can overcome walls whether of people, wood or stone, or of the flesh. In a Spirit-led assembly, there will be no contesting for power, glory, place, or recognition. Each will be esteeming the other better than themselves. There will be no backbiting or devouring of one another. May we learn from “the four” and with His help learn to take a firm hold on our corner of responsibility in the assembly, and, in cooperation with others, carry it to completion. By being steadfast in the faith, in harmony with Christ and the saints, in subjection to the elders, and putting our hands to the work, we will see lost souls brought to the Saviour, Christians edified, and the assembly built up.