"A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 1:1-12
What a great story!
This is one of my favorite stories in the Gospel because of what happened, how it happened and why it happened!
Four guys had a friend who was lame. Lame means he lacked the strength in his legs to stand up and walk. That is a terrible way to have to live. He was essentially helpless.
What could be worse than that?
He was soon to find out!
Word spread into his village that the Healer was coming - that man named, Jesus, from Galilee! If only he could get to Jesus there would be a chance that he might get healed! But how could he get there when he couldn't walk?
He would be so close to a miracle, yet so far away!
Meanwhile, down the block, four of his friends were excited about seeing and hearing this Nazarene rabbi. As they were making their plans to head across town to the house where He would be teaching, the idea dawned on one of them. "Hey", he said, " Why don't we swing past Sam's house and carry him over to see this Jesus. If he can get to Jesus maybe he can get healed!
It seemed like such an obvious solution to a burdensome problem! It was a no-brainer! "Let's do it!", they unanimously decided!
So they did!
The each picked up a corner of the mat he laid upon and carried him in the direction of Jesus!
In their excitement they made very good time getting across town to where Jesus was! But, once they got there they discovered that they were on the outside looking in! Literally!
How disappointing was that?
Now what?
In a rush of the sort of creativity that can only be inspired by desperation, the idea came! What if they were to climb up to the top of the house, tear open the roof and then lower their buddy right down in front of Jesus. Jesus would have to do something then!
Well, they did tear a hole in the roof, and they did lower him down, and their friend not only got healed - he got saved, too!
Mission accomplished! And then some!
Wow! They were so sure of their faith in Jesus and so desperate to see their friend healed, they refused to allow anything to come between them!
I am inspired by this story! I find it admirable that these friends where so committed to getting their friend to Jesus they refused to let anything stop them!
I am impressed by this story because of their creative way of removing an obstacle that stood between them and Jesus!
But mostly, I am convicted by this story because I don't I have been that determined to bring my friends to Jesus.
I need to repent and have a change of heart.
How about you?
What could be worse than that?
He was soon to find out!
Word spread into his village that the Healer was coming - that man named, Jesus, from Galilee! If only he could get to Jesus there would be a chance that he might get healed! But how could he get there when he couldn't walk?
He would be so close to a miracle, yet so far away!
Meanwhile, down the block, four of his friends were excited about seeing and hearing this Nazarene rabbi. As they were making their plans to head across town to the house where He would be teaching, the idea dawned on one of them. "Hey", he said, " Why don't we swing past Sam's house and carry him over to see this Jesus. If he can get to Jesus maybe he can get healed!
It seemed like such an obvious solution to a burdensome problem! It was a no-brainer! "Let's do it!", they unanimously decided!
So they did!
The each picked up a corner of the mat he laid upon and carried him in the direction of Jesus!
In their excitement they made very good time getting across town to where Jesus was! But, once they got there they discovered that they were on the outside looking in! Literally!
How disappointing was that?
Now what?
In a rush of the sort of creativity that can only be inspired by desperation, the idea came! What if they were to climb up to the top of the house, tear open the roof and then lower their buddy right down in front of Jesus. Jesus would have to do something then!
Well, they did tear a hole in the roof, and they did lower him down, and their friend not only got healed - he got saved, too!
Mission accomplished! And then some!
Wow! They were so sure of their faith in Jesus and so desperate to see their friend healed, they refused to allow anything to come between them!
I am inspired by this story! I find it admirable that these friends where so committed to getting their friend to Jesus they refused to let anything stop them!
I am impressed by this story because of their creative way of removing an obstacle that stood between them and Jesus!
But mostly, I am convicted by this story because I don't I have been that determined to bring my friends to Jesus.
I need to repent and have a change of heart.
How about you?
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