A Religion that Takes Off the Roof

The word “religion” or the concept of “religion” is often seen in a bad light. While Christianity is certainly one of the world’s major religions, we who are part of the Christian community prefer to see our Faith not as a religion but as a relationship. A relationship that is personal and intimate with the One True God, our Lord Jesus Christ.

We Christians are also a very stubborn people with a narrow theological perspective. While the world chooses to believe that all religions are equal or “just as good as another,” we stubbornly confess that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and to Heaven. (In spite of what Oprah Winfrey says!)

This morning’s message and Scripture passage describes a “religion” that takes the roof off! If our Christian faith is indeed the only true religion, then our religion or religious faith should still take the roof off today.

Mark 2:1-12, NKJV

1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7“Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

The first verse in this passage tells us that Jesus had returned to his home area in Capernaum. Gospel writers refer to Capernaum as Jesus’ “own city” (Matthew 9:1) because after leaving Nazareth, He lived in Capernaum for a short period of time (Matthew 4:13).

As a major commercial seaport on the Northwestern shore of Galilee, Capernaum was also home to several of Jesus’ disciples, most notable, Andrew and Peter.

In fact, “the house” referred to at the end of verse one was most likely Peter’s home.

By the way, I love the entire phrase at the end of verse one. And it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together.

When people learn that Jesus is in the house, they come. We need to let people know that Jesus is in the house here at Northgate!

And when Jesus is in the house, expect miracles to happen and sins to be forgiven!

T/S—So what kind of religion takes off the roof? First, I want you to see that it takes a religion of compassion to take off the roof. Look at Mark 2:3.

I. A RELIGION OF COMPASSION, Mark 2:3

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.

I say these followers of Christ were compassionate because they cared deeply for their friend. A friend who was paralyzed. His physical disabilities did not inhibit these men from bringing their friend to Christ. In fact, it was because he was paralyzed and needed healing that they brought him to Jesus!

We should also bring hurting people to Jesus!

To show compassion means we are moved by the needs of others. People need to come to Jesus. People need his healing touch, physically, emotionally, psychologically, but most importantly, spiritually. People need to be brought to Jesus to experience the forgiveness of sins.

T/S—So a religion that takes the roof off is first a compassionate religion. Secondly, it is also a religion of conviction. Look again at verse 3.

II. A RELIGION OF CONVICTION, Mark 2:3

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.

While Jesus was preaching the word (logos) to them, four men showed up with their friend who could not walk. Obviously, they believed Jesus could heal their friend. However, because of the crowd, they could not get in to see Jesus (2:4). [1]

These four men were convinced Jesus had the power to heal their friend. Sharing this same conviction these four men brought this man to Jesus. Each one of them carried a corner end of this man’s bed or pallet.

These men saw Jesus for who He really is. Not just a man with supernatural, miraculous power, but the very God who created each person with a spoken word.

We too should share these men’s conviction. We should see Jesus for who He truly is. And knowing Jesus has all power to heal, to forgive sins, to save souls, to change lives, then share the conviction to work together in order to bring others to Christ!

T/S—What have we said so far? First, a religion that takes off the roof is a compassionate religion, and a religion that takes off the roof is a religion of conviction. But also see that a religion that takes off the roof is a religion of creativity. Look at verse 4.

III. A RELIGION OF CREATIVITY, Mark 2:4

And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

When these men could not get in to see Jesus because of the crowd, they came up with an alternate plan, a very creative plan. “They took the outside staircase up to the flat rooftop. The roof was made of wood beams, cross-laid with branches and packed with a thick layer of grass, mud, and clay. One could easily walk on it. Conveniently, one could also dig through it. The men “unroofed” the roof, showering those below with dirt and sticks. They lowered the man on his bed until he lay there before Jesus.” [2]

What is it going to take for you to bring someone to Christ? If you tried before, you’ve invited others to come, you’ve prayed for your lost or wayward friends and family to come to Jesus, but there are just too many obstacles standing in the way. What are you going to do?

You’re going to need to get creative. Think outside the box. Church is not the only place people can come to Jesus. (i.e., a dinner in your home; a small group bible study; a Christian movie, something else)

T/S—A religion that takes the roof off is a creative religion, a religion of conviction and a religion of compassion, but finally, it is a religion of cooperation.

IV. A RELIGION OF COOPERATION, Mark 2:5

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

The key words in verse 5 are the words their faith. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Jesus saw “their”faith, probably referring to all five men, but at the very least encompassing the four friends. In either case our Lord clearly was impressed, and He honored their faith by pouring out mercy on the paralyzed man.

Jesus addressed him as “son” (Gk teknon, “child”), revealing His great affection and compassion for the young man’s plight. And with this compassion Jesus told the man, “Your sins are forgiven.”

This is interesting since the men probably came to Jesus not for forgiveness but for healing. However, Jesus gave them both!

Seeing the man’s whole situation, Jesus lovingly looked past his surface need and met his deeper need; He looked past the man’s immediate need and met his real need! Based on who He is and what He would accomplish on the cross, Jesus extended to a paralyzed sinner God’s full and complete pardon of sin. He may have needed healing, but even more he—like all of us—needed to experience the forgiveness of sins made possible by Jesus.[3]

Over the years I’ve been told by some I have tried to reach, “If I come to church, the roof would fall in!”

We don’t want the roof to fall in, but we should be willing to take off the roof in order to bring men, women, boys and girls to Jesus!

[1] Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), Mk 2:3–5. [2] Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), Mk 2:3–5. [3] Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), Mk 2:3–5.

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