Michelle Norman
Field Personnel in Barcelona, Spain
"When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” – Mark 2:1-5 (NLT)
Recently, I have been reflecting on the story of the men who carried the paralytic man to Jesus. Specifically, I’ve been considering two points I had not previously considered. First, the scripture doesn’t tell us the men who carried the paralytic were his friends. We generally assume they were, but we do not know that for sure. Second, the roofs were thick, and it would have been difficult to bust a hole in it large enough to lower a man through it. It also would have created quite a racket, and definitely would have upset those listening to Jesus teach! The more I pondered these two points, the more convinced I am that the actions of these men were far more radical than I initially believed. It involved risk, it involved hard work and it was all done for someone they may or may not have considered a friend. The radical nature of this story has inspired me to consider for whom I might need to bust through roofs in order for them to have an encounter with Jesus. Where do I need to have courage to do the hard work, and maybe even cause a disruption, so that people can go beyond the barriers that keep them from Jesus.
Maybe, given the state of our world today, you find yourself in a similar place. I offer you this blessing for when you need the courage to bust through some roofs.
A Blessing for When You Need Courage to Bust through Some Roofs
Blessings on you, dear friend.
You were just living your life and as you walked, you encountered the paralytic man, the homeless man, the hurting mother, the unemployed, the discouraged, the bullied.
Blessings on you for stopping to respond to the call for help.
Blessings on you for gathering your friends to join in the response.
You carried the man in, hoping to see Jesus and when you arrived, you were blocked from seeing him.
But you would not let the barriers hold you back. You knew that what this man needed…what the world needed, was an encounter with the Messiah.
Blessings on you for doing the hard work, for rolling up your sleeves and digging through the roof. Blessings on you for finding a way.
When the barriers seem overwhelming and the way unclear, may you have the courage to carry your neighbor to the one who loves them more than they can imagine.
Blessings on you as you find courage to bust through some roofs.