When the Roof Caves In

When the Roof Caves In

Mark 2.1-12

When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”

Mark 2.4-5 (MSG)

INTRODUCTION

Mark reports a story of extraordinary faith and the results of that faith.

Jesus was at home in Capernaum, teaching.

Some men had a paralyzed friend…a friend they KNEW Jesus could heal.

But, because of the crowds, they could not get their friend to Jesus.

They put their extra ordinary faith to work, they tore a hole in the roof, and lowered their friend in front of Jesus.

Jesus saw the friend’s faith, and forgave the man’s sins, and made him whole.

What can we learn from this story in the life of Jesus?

The paralytic’s friends absolutely believed that Jesus was the answer for their friend’s sickness.

The paralytic’s friends would do ANYTHING to get their friend to Jesus.

The faith of the paryalytic’s friends CLEARLY played a role in his healing.

Jesus saw the friend’s faith and healed in response to that faith, first his sin, then his body.

Healing is a gracious movement of God into the sphere of withering and decay, which are tokens of death in a person’s life. –William L. Lane

Conclusion

How much do you believe that Jesus is the answer to the sicknesses in our world?

What would you be willing to do to see lost friends healed by Jesus’s grace?

When by our actions we give evidence of our faith that Jesus has the authority [to heal], miracles can still occur.

–Lamar Williamson