Read Mark 2:1-5
“A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers 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 paralyzed man, 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 by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ’Son, your sins are forgiven.’ ”
An over-crowded house, with people spilling out the door, is the setting for an incredible expression of faith and an amazing miracle. A man who could not walk is lowered through a roof to Jesus and now he can walk! Amazing! But, I think the real star of the story could easily be overlooked – the faith of the four friends.
The faith of this group of friends was incredibly strong. They were convinced that if they could just get their friend to Jesus, that would make all the difference. They would stop at nothing, so they pushed through crowds and dug through a roof with their hands. It did make all the difference. Because of their faith, Jesus provided the miracle. Not only did He offer healing, which was what they wanted, He offered forgiveness, which was what was needed most.
Do you know someone who just needs Jesus? Someone who, if they met Jesus, it would make all the difference? Are you willing to step out in faith and walk against the crowd, and maybe get a little dirty in order to introduce them to Jesus? The Bible tells us it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). Ask God for the courage to step out in faith this week and to be a part of the miracle of introducing someone to Him.
