Through the Roof
Today’s Verse:
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. ~Mark 2:4
Sometimes when our back is against the wall, we find that we go to whatever measures necessary to be overcomers. If it were not for extreme situations, we would not realize the power of God at work through us. This morning, we see how some men went through the roof to get something critically necessary done.
We see the frail.
There was a man who was bedridden with palsy. His muscles and nerves became very weak. He was incapacitated to the point where he could not walk or even care for himself. He was desperately in need of help. He pictures how sin cripples every sinner. We are dead in trespasses and sins. We have no ability in us to save ourselves from the condemnation of sin. It also grimly reminds us as believers of the sinner’s hopeless condition.
We see the friends.
This man had four friends who shared the burden of carrying him to a home where Jesus was preaching. First, we see the willingness. These men had incredible compassion for their friend. They took time away from their personal schedules to bring him to Jesus. It requires a willing spirit to care for another person in need. Second, we see the weight. It’s one thing to lift a heavy weight, but to carry it and walk to a destination requires much strength and patience. The each had to walk at the same pace. They each had to carry their share of the weight so that it was evenly distributed among the four men. Evangelism and soulwinning are not solo works. They take teamwork, where all of us carry our share of the responsibility and weight.
We see the faith.
These men could not enter into the house through the front door. Going back home was not an option. These men had faith to get their crippled friend to Jesus. They had creative faith. They broke up the rooftop of the house so that they could lower their friend down to Jesus. Being creative means you will try something even if you will be criticized, mocked, or disparaged. We must find multiple ways to bring people to Jesus. They had confident faith. They believed that they could get their friend to Jesus and that Jesus would not turn him away. They had a careful faith. They let down the bed wherein their friend was lying with concern and thoughtfulness. We do not drop a sinner off to Jesus: we bring him carefully so that he can see Jesus up close. They had a commended faith. Jesus commended these men for their faith in bringing their friend to Him. Jesus was pleased with their faith because He saw that they believed that “he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
We see the fulfillment.
Their faith and effort was rewarded. Jesus healed their friend. Not only did He heal this man, but more importantly, He forgave this man of his sins. Bringing people to Jesus is spiritual work. There is a right place for feeding the hungry, putting clothing on the homeless, and giving medical care. However, the primary goal in evangelism is getting the sinner to Jesus. It is bringing the sinner face-to-face with Christ. Even though there were some people present who criticized Jesus and this man who was healed, this man got saved and was made well. God got glory from those in attendance. The people witnessed a miracle of the Lord.
There was great fulfillment because four friends dared to go through the roof. Will you go through a rooftop to help someone find the Lord?
Have a faith-endued God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Isaiah 28-30