Raise the Roof

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. - Mark 2:2-4

A few Sundays ago God really impressed this passage on my heart. I happened to end up teaching part of a bible class when the teacher had to suddenly leave. As we were discussing the story a few things came to my attention and convicted me to my core.

The scenario goes like this: Jesus is in town. People have heard him teach and seen him heal the sick therefore, Jesus is drawing a crowd where ever he goes. He stops at a home and begins to teach and a crowd gathers. A large crowd gathers. I assume that some get there first and get front row seats, while others rush to grab the best vantage point to take in the Rabbi's teaching and to watch his miracles. People are now pressed against each other, the room has grown warm due to body heat and now people are having to stand outside and peek through windows to see and hear Jesus. A few friends of a paralyzed man, determine that they are going to get there friend to Jesus for healing. They quickly realize that the crowd is not sympathetic to the fact that they are carrying a paralyzed man and trying to get him to see Jesus for healing. I can only imagine how difficult it was to carry their friend from wherever he was to the place where they had heard that Jesus was teaching and when they finally make it there, they can't get in. So, they get the idea to tear apart the roof and lower their friend through the roof in front of Jesus.bJesus sees them, forgives their sins and heals the man, so that he can walk.

This is an amazing story with several great points to take in. Such as

1. The men loved their paralyzed friend enough to bring him to Jesus.

2. Jesus not only heals him but forgives them of their sin. (Complete healing)

3. The crowd did not let the paralyzed man through for healing.

And more

The thing that grabbed my attention was a question. The question was "What was the difference between the people in the crowd standing at the window of the house and the friends climbing on the roof and getting there friend in front of Jesus?" There may be many answers to this question but the thing that stood out in my mind was that the men helping their friend would not be content with their position on the outer edge of the crowd. They had to get closer for healing. I believe that at some level each person in the crowd settled for the spot that had.

What convicted soul was the truth that I am a part of the crowd. It is like have settled with the idea that if I can see Jesus and hear him, then that is close enough. I don't think I should be comfortable watching Jesus from a distance, even though I can see and hear him. I want to strive to be right in front of Jesus to receive the healing that he has for me. I don't remember too many times that I (figuratively) raised the roof of a house to get to Jesus. Most of the time I am content to watch Jesus from the outside peeking in through a window. I want to be the kind of person who will do whatever it takes to be right in front of Jesus. I need Jesus just as much as the paralyzed man.