Through 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 

When we were first dating, my Dad took my husband up on the roof to do a repair. Our old house was in constant need of repair and painting. My Dad prided himself in being a handyman, although some of his repairs were more creative than functional. The weather was always a challenge since we lived near the ocean. Storms could take shingles and even a roof completely off. Messing with someone's roof, letting rain and weather in, seems like a bold and terrible thing to do.

We find Jesus in such a large crowd that the friends of a paralyzed man have to do the extreme - dig through the roof. Love has a way of compelling us to do what is necessary for others. Those who dug through the roof and lower the man down knew they would live with the consequences of their actions. They were willing to, because their love for their friend was so great, and their trust in God's goodness was firm. We are invited by God to live that kind of love, which is not deterred by a wall or a roof, but is willing to suffer consequences so others can thrive.

Today, I ask God to help me love without reservation. May we be willing to overcome barriers so that others may draw close to the Creator and thrive.