S) "4 Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. 5 And Jesus seeing their faith *said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"
Mark 2:4-5 (NASB)
O) This story shows the value of forgiveness over healing (as I wrote about from Luke 5), but it also shows the irresistible truth, that faith is evinced by actions. These men, traveling already, with their friend on a pallet, do not give up when they see the impassible crowd. They are too consumed by the promise of healing for their friend, to be deterred by something so trivial as a house, literally full of people. They would not be denied by stairs, or roofing. The convictions of their faith were too strong to be denied. They believed completely, in the power of Christ Jesus, and the totality of that belief was not going to be ignored, distracted, discouraged, or quenched.
A) This retelling struck me as a little different than Luke's, in one detail especially. Here, Mark says that the friends, after they had removed the roof above Jesus, then had "dug an opening," to get to Him. Somehow, in most of the teachings (mostly Sunday school lessons, I suppose), I simply imagined the men pulling off some kind of thatched roofing. While that would still be commendable, to be sure, I always kinda thought it was an easy step (at least compared to all they must've been through to that point). But, imagining that they removed the thatch, only to see there was thick dirt still separating them from their savior… it definitely adds to the respect. When I am following the convictions of my faith, will I be stopped by dirt, after I clear the straw? I need to be sure that I am compelled to finish, especially when it gets harder and harder. The only way that is possible, is by staying focused on my purpose, and through the strength of the Lord.
P) Father, You are too good for me to be distracted as I have been. In Your sovereign might, and holy justice, I deserved wrath, destruction, and death. Over and over, You prove to be patient and kind. Please forgive me for the times I have quit too soon, on the missions You have given me. Thank You for the grace You have shown, that You continue to call me for Your purposes. May my faith increase, to undeniable, irresistible levels that compel me to act upon them, in obedience to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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