Mark 11

 I wonder what the motive was for each person that crowded into or around the house where Jesus was. How many wanted to be healed of something? Were some just curious?  Dis some want to be entertained by a good speaker?  Mark compliments to Faith of the paralytic’s friends. They were determined and persistent. For us, how much do we need a community of safe, encouraging, persistent, friends?  Do I have the faith of these friends?  I’m learning ghat each of desperately need to develop a trusted community of like minded disciples for encouragement and support  

“A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

“Ministry takes courage to be with the sick, the dying, and the poor in their weakness and in our powerlessness. We can’t fix their problems or even answer their questions. We dare to be with others in mutual vulnerability and ministry precisely because God is a God who suffers with us and calls us to gratitude and compassion in the midst of pain. You cannot solve all the world’s problems, but you can be with people in their problems and questions with your simple presence, trusting that joy also be found there” - Excerpt, Spiritual Direction by Henri J. M. Nouwen