Through the Roof

1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7"Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

8Immediately 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? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He 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 2:1-12

This was Sunday's scripture. Our pastor gave an excellent sermon on it. I love this passage. 

My favorite thing about it is the fact that the paralytic never says a word. He does nothing and asks for nothing. I imagine the times when I have been the paralytic; unable to know what to ask or even to think of going to God. The fact that, in these times, my friends can take me to the Lord gives me great comfort. Knowing that God provides friends who would carry me to the roof and then dig through it to lower my dead weight down to the feet of our Lord fills me with joy.

I'm not always the paralytic, however. Sometimes I am one of the friends. Sometimes God gives me the task of praying for a friend or giving comfort when times are tough. Often I miss the opportunity or shirk the responsibility, but when I act on behalf of a friend in need, He gives me access to His glory. My faith is strengthened when I have the privilege of praying for a brother or sister in Christ.

I must be honest, though, frequently I am one of the teachers of the law. I sit and judge rather than jumping up to help. I somehow imagine that the paralytic maybe doesn't deserve any attention until he gets his act together and asks for forgiveness. The passage does mention that the man had sins to be forgiven. However, as I pointed out before, the paralytic says nothing and does nothing. What does Jesus do? He forgives him and heals him. Guess what? It's not my job to wonder whether or not any of us deserve His forgiveness. I certainly don't deserve it. Praise God he gives it anyway! 

Thank you God, for forgiving me even though I don't always ask. Thank you for sending me friends who will carry me to you. Lord, help me to be one of the friends in this story. Help me to carry my neighbors to your feet. In Jesus' name, amen.