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

Removing the Roof

Jesus had to face his angry family
because there was a hole in their roof
open to the cold and damp night winds
their lives torn apart by greater love.

A group of friends so desperate
they removed the barrier to healing
they were willing to assume consequences
for love which rises above convention.

While religious arguments swirl
they did what needed to be done
one day their friend could not walk
and by night love brought the cure.

Hate and fear build many walls
we hide behind beneath many roofs
we cower in our lonely desperation
and love will find us where we are.

Greater love will never be held back
things might get broken in the process
love is the only super power we have
there is no fence that can hold it back.