Roof-Top Faith

Mark 2:1–12 ESV

1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Problem

a man, paralyzed

unknown reason; Jesus doesn’t address (care?)

similar to blind man, 10 lepers, crippled man near Bethesda, lame man near Temple in Acts

could not get to Jesus

Identify paralyzed man, his friends, and Jesus

Challenge

no indication the man was seeking after Jesus

Solution

4 friends/men carried him to Jesus; problem solved

Challenge 2

packed room; no way to get him in

Solution 2

get him onto the roof

Challenge 3

closer to Jesus proximity-wise, but not quite there

Solution 3

create hole & lower him to Jesus

friends lower man down the steps

Result