Carried aloft
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:5 (NIV)
It was a full house as Jesus was teaching in Capernaum when some men attempted to bring a paralysed man in so that Jesus would heal him. But it was so crowded that they couldn’t get the man through to Jesus. Undeterred, they resorted to a rather drastic plan B: they’d get him in through the roof. Houses usually had flat roofs and often had an external staircase leading to them, so they hauled their friend up. Perhaps with him calling out ‘Oi, be careful’ as he was hauled up, secured only in a mat. Once on the roof, they proceeded to demolish part of it to make a sufficiently large hole so they could lower their friend down to Jesus’ feet. Imagine the crowd in the house, as they were showered with dust and debris. Some would be standing with their mouths open at the sight and others might have been shouting up to the men to desist and go away. There must have been some shuffling in the crowd as those close to Jesus began to step backwards to make room as mat and man were lowered down.
No objection came from Jesus, who was also possibly covered in dust. He saw their faith and responded with healing. Mark recorded ‘their faith’ – plural. We don’t know whether the paralysed man was included in ‘their faith’, but it certainly referred to his friends. They were so concerned for their friend that they went to an extreme measure to present him before Jesus. This was faith in action.
We can’t bring our friends to Jesus in person. We can’t lower someone in need before his feet. And we don’t have to rip stuff off a roof in order to get to him. Instead of lowering, we can lift. After all, the last piece of ‘stuff’ that was ripped up was the thick curtain protecting the Holy of Holies in the temple, showing that the way to God was open, after his crucifixion.
In our mind’s eye, place our concerns in a sling and lift them to the throne of Grace, whether they are family, friends or the troubles in the world. Jesus will acknowledge that faith and hear and help in whatever way is needed for those we stretcher up to him.
Prayer
Our Saviour, may we be ready in faith to raise up those in need of your love and healing, knowing that you are more than happy to receive them, Amen.
Study by Hilary Buck
Hilary Buck is a minister and pastors the Lewes congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion in Lewes
The House of Friendship
208 High Street
Lewes BN7 2NS
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:00 am
Local congregational contact:
Hilary Buck
Email: lewes@gracecom.church
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Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church