Week One

As we come to know more about the life of Francis Webster we will learn that the theme of his life was to rescue.  Through the journey leading up to this next walk, we hope to study what it really means to rescue.  This is the first of many thoughts on this topic, and it comes with an invitation…

Ours is a mission to rescue.  It has always been so, and remains true today ––there are those who need what we have to offer.  But sometimes I wonder if we realize just what it is we have to offer as we reach out to rescue those in need.

One afternoon the Savior was teaching in a home. Having heard that the Savior was teaching there, a group of men brought their friend who lay sick with palsy on a bed.  The home was full, and the doorway was crowded.  It didn’t take long before the four men realized they were not going to be able to get inside.  But the men didn’t give up.  The scriptures tell us, “they sought means to bring him in,” and to lay him before the Lord. (Luke 5:18)  Giving up was not an option.  Their intent was to bring their friend to Christ.

So, they came up with a plan.  “They went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.”  (Luke 5:19)  Now, stop and consider this for a minute.  How did the four men get that man and his couch onto the roof?  It couldn’t have been easy.  There must have been a ladder involved and a lot of thought.  Who would hold the man on the couch?  There must have been someone on the roof to lift, and someone down below to support.  There must have been someone who would be willing to add strength as the man ascended to the roof.  Consider those four assignments ––to lift, to support, to hold, and to strengthen.  Now, we must also keep in mind that the roof was not the final destination.  Once they got on the roof there was more work to be done.  In Mark 2 we learn that the roof had to be uncovered and broken up.  That must have required a lot of effort. 

Sometimes when I read this chapter I stop and ask myself, to what lengths would I go to bring a friend to Christ?

Once they had lowered the man carefully into the room where Jesus was, a very interesting conversation took place.  Both accounts in the New Testament phrase this conversation exactly the same way.  We read, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” (Mark 2:5 emphasis added.)  Take note of the word their.  Whose faith is the Savior talking about?  The line doesn’t read, “When Jesus saw his faith…” it reads, “When Jesus saw their faith.”  Is He talking about the four friends?  The ones who lifted, supported, held onto, and strengthened their friend?  Was it through both the great lengths of their effort and the great faith of these friends that the Lord was able to heal this man?  Is the same true today?

There is much we can learn about rescuing from this story.  First, we must consider the true intent of the four men.  They, in and of themselves, could not heal this man.  They could not fix the ailment.  They could not tell the man what to believe, or how to live his life.  Their responsibility was simple and yet profound ––their only responsibility was to bring their friend to Christ.  They were not the healers or the teachers, but they could bring their friend to the One who could heal, to the one who could teach.  That would require faith.  It would also require lifting, supporting, strengthening, and holding on. 

Sometimes I think we get confused.  We become so intent on fixing the problem ourselves, we don’t allow the Savior to do what He is best at ––saving.  Many years ago I was driving to the temple.  My heart was filled to bursting with heavy thoughts.  I had a sister whose family was carrying a heavy emotional burden that they didn’t have strength to bear.  We had gathered as a family to offer strength and support, but we couldn’t fix the situation for them, and that was heartbreaking.  My sister-in-law had called the day before to say that her husband had lost his job and that they were certain to lose their home.  She didn’t know what to do.  Oh, how I longed to be able to come up with a solution that would fix that problem, but I couldn’t.  I also had a dear friend who was struggling with a problem that had the potential to destroy her life and her family.  We had prayed and fasted together, and yet I knew deep within my heart I did not have the knowledge that would be needed to fix the challenge she was facing.  I was discouraged and I walked into the temple that morning with a heart that was heavy.

The temple was busy, so as I waited I turned to the scriptures hoping to find some counsel I could use in any of the situations I had been praying about.  I turned to D&C 76 and read, “Hear, O yea heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior.   Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings none can find out.  His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand.”  (D&C 76:1-3 emphasis added.) 

Immediately I knew what I needed to do.  My responsibility was not to fix the burdens these families were carrying; my responsibility was to help bring them to Christ.  I could not save them, but He could. I knew the Savior would know what to do ––He would know how to help heal their hearts, He could teach them and send them in the direction they needed to go.  His purpose would not fail and His hand would not be stayed.  Through His great wisdom and His marvelous ways He would do what was right in their life.  I could lift, support, strengthen, help them to hold on, and I could add my faith.  The Savior would do the rest.

The greatest form of rescue is to lead someone closer to the Lord.  We can do that by sharing what we know of Him from the feelings within our hearts.  Have you ever noticed that when you spend time with someone who loves the Lord, you come to know the Lord a little better?  Somehow we come to better understand what He teaches, to feel how He loves, and we even come to know His heart because we have come to know their heart. 

The invitation…

This week prayerful consider someone in your life who could use a rescue.   What might you do for them in the next few weeks leading up to this walk?  Remember, our job is not to fix someone’s life, or to save them from where they are…that is the Savior’s job.  Our job requires faith, lifting, supporting, strengthening, and holding on in some form or another as we lead them closer to Him.

This invitation is extended individually.  Together, you and the Lord can decide what it is you might do.  How will you lift?  How might you strengthen?  How could you support?  Do you know someone carrying a burden so heavy that you might help them hold on for a time? 

This rescue can take place in any way you would like.  You might do temple work for someone in your family.  This could require finding a name, and following through to make sure all of the work is finished by Sept. 24.   You may know of someone who could use an 11 week spiritual journey, and invite them to join us.  Perhaps you know someone who you could secretly serve once a week for the next 11 weeks.  Could you share your testimony?  Write a letter?  Visit someone who needs a friend? 

What will your rescue entail?  How might lifting, supporting, strengthening, or holding on play a role?  How will your faith lead someone who is need of a rescue closer to the Lord?  To what lengths might you go to bring a friend to Christ?