So, are there passages of scripture that are so familiar to you that you don’t know what they say? What in the world is she talking about, you say? Stick with me for a minute. The other day I read a passage of scripture that I knew nearly by heart. I first learned this passage by felt board. You know what I’m talking about. Four robed paper men, two on either side carrying a man on a stretcher all stuck whopperjawed on a felt board. One man falls off the board, he’s picked up and pressed back in place. Beside them, just as crooked, was a paper flat roofed house with a hole in the top. This passage was taught to me more than once through my life and as I grew so did the delivery. As I read this passage today though, I saw it with fresh eyes. Maybe I was so familiar with the mechanics of the story that I missed the message of the story.
We will learn many Bible passages and be familiar with many Bible stories and characters in our life, but it is up to us, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, to work out the message behind the mechanics.
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.”
Mark 2:1-5
You can see that scene played out on the felt board too, can’t you? As a passage we’ve heard teached and preached, more than once. Come with me as I work out some of my thoughts about this passage. As we work through this passage, how about making notes of your own, praying the Holy Spirit gives you new insight into His Word.
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum,
the people heard that he had come home.
Jesus had come home. I hadn’t really thought of Jesus having a home. A place. This may not have been His home, it might have been Peter’s home, but He came to a place. Think about that word home. Where is home for you? Where is your home place? Where’s the heart of your home? Where’s the home of your heart?
So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door,
and he preached the word to them.
Felt board this verse. So many people came to hear Jesus that there was no room in the house or outside the house. Family and friends, loved ones, had come to hear the Master teach. All crowded together, look at the faces on the board as they listen to Him to teach. Do you see the joy? Do you see the excitement of being in his presence? Wow! Do we gather? Would we complain if it was crowded? Are we joyful? Are we excited to be in His presence?
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…
Picture the crooked men on the felt board carrying their sick friend. They brought their friend to Jesus for healing. At some point in life, I was the paralytic. I was immobile. I was the immoveable person. I needed, and still need, Jesus’ healing. There are folks in our lives who presented us to Jesus for healing, right? Do I bring those immovable of my family and friends and present them to Jesus for healing?
…and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.
Can you picture that? Four men on the roof desperately picking away at the mud thatch, trying to claw an opening in order to present their friend to Jesus for healing. That’s a powerful vision, isn’t it? Do I desperately pick at what stands in the way of healing for my friends? Do I fervently and diligently pray, take them to Jesus for deliverance and healing?
Their friend was lying on a mat. Am I lying on a mat? Are my friends lying on a mat? Are we content in our surroundings, are we comfortable?
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic…
Jesus saw their faith, through their actions. Is my own healing reflected in my life so that my friends want healing? Not what do my lips say, but what does my life say?
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Are they not the most beautiful words ever? This man’s friends were worried about his physical health, Jesus cut to the chase – the man’s spiritual health. Jesus will meet our deepest need – forgiveness of sins is the ultimate healing. Jesus looks at eternity, forever. He is most interested in healing our hearts.
The great intention of the blessed Jesus in the redemption he wrought,
is to separate our hearts from sin.
Matthew Henry
So, here are a few questions I pondered:
- Am I a bringer or just a taker?
- Do I pave a way by strengthening my own faith? Prayer? Study?
- Who will I lower through the roof?
- What pains will I go to, digging and clawing, to present them to Jesus?