Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Micah 1-2
     New Testament Reading: Mark 2

When he entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them. They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:1-5).

Word spread quickly that Jesus had returned to Capernaum after preaching throughout Galilee. The last time He was in town, He worked late into the night healing many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons(Mk 1:34). Then, without warning, He and His disciples left town to go to the neighboring villages (Mk 1:35-38). Now He was back and the people of Capernaum were eager to see the Miracle-Worker in action. The event that followed provides us two examples that all of us would do well to follow.

The town’s people were so excited to see Jesus they did not wait for an invitation. Nor did they wait for Him to return to the synagogue to teach, as He did on his previous visit. Instead, they gathered around the house where He was staying. In fact, there were so many people that Mark wrote, so many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and he was speaking the word to them (v2).

What an example for us to follow. Are we that anxious to hear God’s Word preached? Jesus said Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mt 5:6). Today, Christians have greater access to the Bible than at any time in history, but do we hunger and thirst for the truth it contains?

At the rear of the crowd was a paralytic, carried by four others on a makeshift stretcher. The crowd hindered them from getting near the Lord Jesus. Undaunted by the obstacles, the four climbed the outside stairs to the roof and caused the most unusual disturbance. First, there were muffled voices heard above them. Then, as Jesus taught the standing room only crowd, debris fell.

Jesus must have paused as the distracted audience watched in silence as the eight hands hurriedly dug through the roof. As the opening enlarged, sunlight streamed through. Then the light was blocked as they lowered a mat. Carefully, the mat was eased down from the gap in the roof, directly in front of the teacher. To everyone’s astonishment, there was a man on the mat, motionless, obviously paralyzed. Above him, straining to hold on to the ropes supporting their friend, four men were seen silhouetted against the sky.

Certainly, the life of this unnamed paralytic was forever changed because of the healing power of Jesus. But let’s not ignore the four men that assisted him and went to remarkable lengths to get him to Jesus. Because of the faith of this remarkable group of friends, a wrecked, trapped man found both physical and spiritual healing. Their love for their friend compelled these men to overcome their obstacles and dare to do the difficult, the unconventional, and the costly thing (I’ve always wondered, who paid to fix the roof?).

What an example and encouragement these four unnamed men are for us today. Each of us needs to have a few faithful friends who regularly encourage us spiritually. God designed us to be interdependent, not independent. And when we are part of a small group of Believers, the effects are like what we see in this story: As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mk 2:12b).