Years ago, the funk band Parliament had a song called “Tear the Roof Off”. Maybe you grooved to the sound as well during those disco years. It made you want to move your feet. Our story today is one where a man could not move his feet for he was paralyzed, but things changed when… the roof was torn off!
Mark 2:1-12 tells this story, “A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered 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 paralytic, 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 and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "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? 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!"
Some friends decided to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus to be healed. But, as it is often the case, they found that transporting him took a bit longer than expected and they arrived after most of the crowd had gathered. There was no room for them to even get into the door of the building where Jesus was healing and preaching. So… they got creative. If they could not go through the door, they would make their own entrance. In Jesus’ day, it was common that buildings were built close together and these men likely climbed from one building out onto the roof of the building where Jesus was. After getting on top, they dug, yes dug, a hole into the thatch and mud based roof so that they could lower their friend into see Jesus. With friends who worked so hard, you know their faith was strong. Jesus heals the man, not for his faith, but “when Jesus saw their faith”. The paralyzed man had his friends and Jesus to thank for his health!
Who are your friends? Are they good influences or negative influences? Friends of faith can help you be healed both in body and soul. Think about recent events in professional sports. Poor choices of friends have recently impacted football player Michael Vick, basketball NBA referee Tim Donaghy, and baseball player Barry Bonds so much that all are being looked at in a suspicious light. No one wants to be associated with animal cruelty and cheating. We have to choose good friends who will help look out for our well being in the same way we would look out for theirs.
My mother used to say, “if you lay down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.” I believe she was right. We may be able to minister to those who are wayward, but we must have a solid positive base of friends to support us in our journey. Find friends and a church family that can help you get closer to Jesus.
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