The Roof Incident
Mark 2 v 1-12
Forgive me but watching rugby has an effect on me and has prompted a mischievious angle on this famous Gospel story.
What if the four men carrying a fifth on a stretcher through this crowded street were rugby players, team members from the ‘Capernaum 1st Fifteen’? Maybe they landed on their friend in the scrum and injured him so badly he can no longer walk, the least they can do is bring him to see the Healer!
That’s really quite facetious and should probably be ignored - a fairer point might be that although this man was sorely disabled, at least he had friends. Friends willing to physically carry him the distance and risk controversy to get him the help he needed.
Undeterred by the crowd blocking the entrance, they climb on the roof and dig through it, interrupting the meeting below by lowering their pal, stretcher and all into the room, right in front of Jesus.
We might guess the grumbles among those present:
‘Who do they think they are? Didn’t they see the queue outside? Why can’t they wait their turn? And look at the damage they’ve done! Who’s going to pay for that?’
Oops, there goes my imagination again. Whatever else we might think of these people, they had faith that showed itself in determined, persistent action and brought about a resounding result!
The text states, ‘When He saw their faith…’ Jesus responded positively and ministered to their friend’s need. He willingly offered forgiveness and healing.
‘Their faith’. It was a collective thing. Every team understands the concept that ‘together we are stronger’. On our own we might hesitate, the dark, solitary hours bringing questions, doubt, fear. But it’s daytime in our story, when friends can encourage each other to believe and do something positive.
And individuals are blessed when believers gather in a group to pray and act. Jesus gladly answers such expressions of faith. The Kingdom of God was coming. The Messiah was in the building. Royal authority and divine power were present to heal as was a willingness to reward whatever faith was on offer.
This makes coming to church such a good idea. Sat at home with nothing but secular TV and Internet for company our faith might understandably waver, but together, expressing worship, we’re reminded of God’s power and goodness and encourage each other to persevere.
Something else we shouldn’t miss in this account is that there is more than one way to be healed.
Those present saw this man’s obvious, physical need - he couldn’t walk. Jesus perceived something deeper, the need for forgiveness and reconciliation to God. The man needed his conscience cleansed, his heart comforted with love, his mental wellbeing re- established on the promise of God’s acceptance and eternal life. The subsequent outward strengthening of his body was an added bonus to the inner healing Jesus wrought in his soul that day!
So let’s be encouraged by this episode to approach God individually and together, trusting that forgiveness and healing are possible. As we observe Jesus, let’s believe His words, that as we, like the Prodigal Son, turn again to Him, God the Father is running this way to welcome us home!
Mark 2 v 1-12
Forgive me but watching rugby has an effect on me and has prompted a mischievious angle on this famous Gospel story.
What if the four men carrying a fifth on a stretcher through this crowded street were rugby players, team members from the ‘Capernaum 1st Fifteen’? Maybe they landed on their friend in the scrum and injured him so badly he can no longer walk, the least they can do is bring him to see the Healer!
That’s really quite facetious and should probably be ignored - a fairer point might be that although this man was sorely disabled, at least he had friends. Friends willing to physically carry him the distance and risk controversy to get him the help he needed.
Undeterred by the crowd blocking the entrance, they climb on the roof and dig through it, interrupting the meeting below by lowering their pal, stretcher and all into the room, right in front of Jesus.
We might guess the grumbles among those present:
‘Who do they think they are? Didn’t they see the queue outside? Why can’t they wait their turn? And look at the damage they’ve done! Who’s going to pay for that?’
Oops, there goes my imagination again. Whatever else we might think of these people, they had faith that showed itself in determined, persistent action and brought about a resounding result!
The text states, ‘When He saw their faith…’ Jesus responded positively and ministered to their friend’s need. He willingly offered forgiveness and healing.
‘Their faith’. It was a collective thing. Every team understands the concept that ‘together we are stronger’. On our own we might hesitate, the dark, solitary hours bringing questions, doubt, fear. But it’s daytime in our story, when friends can encourage each other to believe and do something positive.
And individuals are blessed when believers gather in a group to pray and act. Jesus gladly answers such expressions of faith. The Kingdom of God was coming. The Messiah was in the building. Royal authority and divine power were present to heal as was a willingness to reward whatever faith was on offer.
This makes coming to church such a good idea. Sat at home with nothing but secular TV and Internet for company our faith might understandably waver, but together, expressing worship, we’re reminded of God’s power and goodness and encourage each other to persevere.
Something else we shouldn’t miss in this account is that there is more than one way to be healed.
Those present saw this man’s obvious, physical need - he couldn’t walk. Jesus perceived something deeper, the need for forgiveness and reconciliation to God. The man needed his conscience cleansed, his heart comforted with love, his mental wellbeing re- established on the promise of God’s acceptance and eternal life. The subsequent outward strengthening of his body was an added bonus to the inner healing Jesus wrought in his soul that day!
So let’s be encouraged by this episode to approach God individually and together, trusting that forgiveness and healing are possible. As we observe Jesus, let’s believe His words, that as we, like the Prodigal Son, turn again to Him, God the Father is running this way to welcome us home!
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