Faith in Action: Insights from Mark 2

Down Through the Rooftop

The second chapter of Mark relates a story that has always challenged me.

Jesus arrives in Capernaum and enters a house. People hear about it and follow Him there. He begins teaching. As more and more people come to hear, the house becomes so crowded that the door is blocked and no more can get in.

Along come four friends carrying a paralyzed man. They want to get their friend to Jesus so that Jesus can heal him, but every way is barred by the crowd. These friends are persistent, though. When they can’t get through the door and evidently not through the windows, they climb onto the roof and remove the tiles. When the hole is big enough, they lower the bed with their friend on it down right in front of Jesus and interrupt the entire teaching session.

Verse five is where the story really gets interesting.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5, KJV).

Notice that Jesus saw the friends’ faith. He didn’t have to ask them if they believed. Their actions demonstrated their belief. He spoke to the paralyzed man about his sin. Even though it seemed like his physical condition was the most pressing need, Jesus saw something that even the dedicated friends did not see. The man in the bed needed spiritual healing, so Jesus addressed that first. Later, He healed him physically.

I said earlier that this story challenges me. Here is why.

The Persistence of the Friends in Bringing the Man to Jesus -

These four friends did not let inconvenience or social norms or anything else stop them from getting their friend to Jesus. I wonder how committed I am or how often I give up when it seems too hard or out of my way to help someone come to know my Lord. What do I allow to stop me?

The Visibility of the Friends Faith –

Jesus saw the friends’ faith and commented on it. There was no doubt about their belief. I wonder if my faith is visible to others in my actions or if it is often hidden.

The Realization that Spiritual Healing is More Important than Physical Healing –  

I spend a lot of time praying for physical healing. Sometimes I forget that spiritual healing is more important and often precedes the physical healing of a person. Sometimes I agonize when I think God is not answering my prayer for physical healing and forget that while I am worrying about what I can see, God may be working on a heart in a person or family (or maybe it’s my heart) that I cannot see.

Jesus was not surprised to see a bed with a paralyzed man lowered in front of him in the crowded room, but I bet a lot of the people there were. I imagine there were whispers and shocked faces, lifted eyebrows, and perhaps even some tsk tsks. Certainly, it had never been done that way before.

When all was said and done, though, one man went home forgiven and walking on his own. Four men had accomplished their purpose – their friend was healed.

I can’t say for sure, but I bet some of the onlookers would have gladly traded places with them, and maybe some went home and thought about visible faith.

I know I do – every time I read this passage.

Father, I don’t want to hide behind the norms of the day or circumstances that pop up. I want to boldly follow You wherever and however You lead. I want to take my friends right along with me to meet You. Keep the picture of these four friends always before me and always in my heart. And keep me focused on the important rather than the convenient, Lord. Let me be that kind of friend. In Jesus’ name I pray.