I've been pondering this scripture for the last several weeks and have made a few comments on Facebook about it. It resonates deep within me and I'm wanting to put it in to action in my own life.
Mark 2 After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. 2 So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. 3 Some people arrived, and four of them were bringing to him a man who was paralyzed. 4 They couldn’t carry him through the crowd, so they tore off part of the roof above where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven!”
Another version says: 4 Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying.
Wow... I mean can you imagine.... Every time I read this two things come to mind.
1. What awesome friends this guy had.
2. I want to be that kind of friend.
Seriously, think about it. If you were sick, in need, PARALYZED, as this man was and your friends came to you saying, "Hey, we're gonna take you to see this guy." I mean who knows how the conversation really went down... maybe there was arguing about whether or not it was worth the trip, maybe the man had no idea his friends wanted to help. Nonetheless the four of them went to him and said, "Let's do this." They carried him (who knows how long, I haven't done a deep exegesis of the passage) to the house where Jesus was and immediately were forced to "think outside the box". But that's the greatest part. They didn't get there, see the crowd of people and go, "Well, guess it's not going to work, we can't even get to the door." And they didn't say, "Well, we're just going to have to wait for the crowd to clear out." NO! They looked at that crowd of people and with confidence in their Lord, confidence in His power, and acting in faith, they looked at one another and said, "You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" (Ok that's my version :) but you get the idea) Then they proceeded to CLIMB a roof with their friend in tow. Now again I have no idea how high these roofs are or what kind of houses they had in that area, but I'm guessing no matter the size, it was still work to get a person (who can't move/walk) on top of the roof. Once there they begin to rip open the roof. HELLO!!! And they proceed to then lower their friend down into the room where Jesus was.
THIS is the kind of audacious tenacity I am seeking the Lord for. What a testimony. What an awesome awesome testimony, and not only that but a challenge. A challenge to see the needs around us and find ways to meet them! A challenge to think outside the box. To have faith enough to know WHO Jesus is and if it requires, being the one to rip open that roof. (And then to let Jesus do the rest!)
Lord, give me boldness, give me grace, give me audacious tenacity. Help me to see the needs around me and help me to have faith enough to know that you will complete the work.
