Removing the Roof

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12

Early tomorrow morning, we head down to Yellowstone National Park for several days at the snow lodge. We will be out of radio range for that time. It has been snowing a good deal here in Montana and the temperatures have been very cold. We expect to have more snow while we're there. Getting snow off of the roof is essential as it keeps them from collapsing  in with the weight. The life of faith demands that we sometimes break through the roof, sometimes we remove the roof, and sometimes we remove snow and ice to keep from collapsing. We all need to find our ways to God's healing, finding our way to let God's glory shine in.

Jesus comes home and is mobbed by the need. He also finds himself surrounded by people of great faith and love, those willing to find a way, despite barriers of all sorts. The folks had never seen anything like it, as they were used to living by rules, rather than by faith, by law rather than by love. How different the world would look today, if did not let fear and barriers bind us. God invites us to not be fearful and defensive but rather act always for love.

Today, I ask God to help me see barriers as invitations, fears as welcome to prayer. May we live breaking through and removing the barriers that keep us from loving and showing God's glory.