Mark 2:3-5

Passage

The crowds continue to come to Jesus, even after there is no more room.  So some people remove Jesus’ own roof and they lower down a paralytic man to Jesus from above.  Jesus saw the faith of this subgroup of the crowd and it pleased Him.  He told the paralytic man that his sins are forgiven. 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The crowd keeps growing.  So some people have an ingenious plan.  They know that in those days rooftops we primarily made of layers of dead vegetation – branches, long grasses, maybe even some mud to hold it all together.  They know that such pieces can easily be lifted up and removed.  That would give them access to the framework below, which they could to support themselves while they lowered this man down to Jesus.  They were a people with a plan and they were willing to act upon it.

How crazy is this plan?  What risk did these men take?  Would you have been willing to go to these extremes to put a friend who needs to meet Jesus in touch with Jesus?

Second Thought:

Notice that Jesus doesn’t once show indignation towards these people who are quite literally messing with His house.  In fact, He is impressed with their faith!  The roof can be replaced; the moment may not be able to be replaced.

How willing are you to take advantage of the “moments of discipleship?”  What are you willing to put on hold in order to accomplish what God needs to be done?  How likely would you be to react positively to someone messing with your house in order to find you (or find Jesus)?

Third Thought:

“Your sins are forgiven.”  Do you think these are the words the paralyzed man wanted to hear?  I am absolutely sure that there were not the words the paralyzed man would have chosen to hear.  We’ll get to the “walking” part tomorrow.  But for today, let’s focus on the fact that Jesus chooses to start first with the “your sins are forgiven.”  This is the most important message Jesus could tell them man.  Walking is a temporary thing. Life eternal with God based on the absence of sin – that is a permanent thing.  Forgiveness is far more important than mobility.

Do you believe this?  Is this easy to say but tough to live out?  What makes this a difficult teaching for us to genuinely believe and live our life by?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 2:6-12