Podcast Summary: The Daily Blade, Ep. #242 — “Carry The Mat”

Hosts: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Date: December 4, 2025

Overview of the Episode

This episode of The Daily Blade centers on the pivotal role of “mat carriers”—true friends who do whatever it takes to bring their brothers to Jesus in times of hardship. Drawing inspiration from Mark 2, Pastor Joby Martin challenges listeners to move beyond mere good intentions and feelings, calling men to practical action, sacrificial friendship, and faith on behalf of others. The discussion is candid, practical, and deeply grounded in scripture, with personal anecdotes that reinforce the power of brotherhood and active faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Mat Carrier Concept (00:20 – 01:50)

• Definition: Mat carriers are friends who move past excuses and find ways to bring their brothers to Jesus, especially through obstacles.
• Scriptural Foundation: Referencing Mark 2:1-5, Joby highlights the paralytic man’s friends who creatively get him into Jesus’ presence.

  “But what a true brother does is he doesn't come up with excuses of why he can't; he comes up with reasons why he can make this happen.” — Joby Martin (00:33)

• Reflection Questions: Who are you willing to pick up a corner of the mat for? Do they know it? Are you the man who makes excuses or makes it happen?

Faith in Action: More Than “Feeling” (01:50 – 03:00)

• True Brotherhood: Goes beyond casual friendship—mat carrying requires sacrificial, intentional, and spiritual support.
• Action Over Sympathy: Empathy (feeling) is not sufficient; sympathy (feeling and acting) matters most.

  “Empathy means just to feel stuff. Well, feelings are fine, but they're a terrible guide to life… Sympathy is that you feel with them and then we do something about it.” — Joby Martin (02:18)

• Critique vs. Compassion: It's not about nitpicking friends for their mistakes unless repeated self-destructive behaviors occur; instead, prioritize solutions and support.

The Power of Intercessory Faith (02:42 – 03:20)

• Jesus Responds to Friends’ Faith: Jesus heals the paralytic not because of his faith, but because of the faith of the friends.

  “Do you have enough faith for your friend on the mat to borrow?” — Joby Martin (03:15)

• Challenge: Be the kind of friend whose faith can “cover” someone else during their season of hardship.

Action Beats Asking: Personal Story (03:20 – 05:00)

• David Pollack Anecdote: Joby recounts an interview with David Pollack (former UGA football player), who explained that after his wife’s cancer diagnosis, his friends acted — they didn’t ask what he needed; they just did things for him.

  “His friends did not ask him, ‘What can I do for you?’... They just did the things. They didn’t wait to be asked… Oftentimes the guy on the mat may not even know exactly what he needs. And what he needs for you is to just take action.” — Joby Martin (03:41)

• Parallel Personal Experience: Joby applies this lesson when a pastor friend loses his son, opting to overwhelm his friend with action and grace rather than questions or hesitation.

The Ultimate Call: Be the Brother Who Acts (04:30 – 05:00)

• Practical Steps: Pick up the phone, visit, do the thing—don’t just feel or think about helping.
• Radical Faith: Strive to be the type of man whose faith is robust enough that Jesus credits it to your friend’s breakthrough.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On carrying each other:
  “Are you willing to do what it takes to get your brothers to Jesus? This is huge. These are not just drinking buddies…do you know how to actually carry them to Jesus?” — Joby Martin (01:40)

• On faith for others:
  “So do you have enough faith for your friend on the mat to borrow?” — Joby Martin (03:15)

• On taking action:
  “What your mat carriers need from you, is to actually pick up the mat, pick up the phone, make the phone call, drive over there, and then do the thing. Don’t just feel the thing, don’t just believe the thing, but do whatever it takes to bring them to Jesus…” — Joby Martin (04:47)

Notable Timestamps

• 00:20 — Introduction to “mat carriers” and the message from Mark 2
• 01:10 — Reflection on what it means to be a true friend/brother
• 02:18 — The difference between empathy and sympathy (and why action matters)
• 03:20 — Story about David Pollack and practical application
• 04:30 — Joby’s personal experience acting for a friend in grief
• 04:47 — The practical call to do, not just feel

Conclusion

This episode calls men (and all listeners) beyond passive friendship and good intentions, urging purposeful, faith-filled action to carry their brothers to Jesus. By embodying the spirit of the “mat carriers” in Mark 2, listeners are challenged to make bold, sacrificial moves for the sake of their friends’ healing and restoration—trusting that sometimes, your faith is what will sustain someone through their hardest season.