Mark 2:4-5 “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
How desperate are you to bring people to Jesus? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself lately. I realize I’m far from the kind of desperation the four friends of the paralyzed man displayed.
Now those men were desperate. They believed Jesus could heal their friend, so they lifted him up and carried him to the home where Jesus was teaching. But when they arrived, the massive crowd blocked them from any chance of getting him to Jesus. Undeterred, they dug a hole in the roof of the house! They lowered their friend before Jesus and Jesus responded to their faith. The paralytic left that house with new legs and a forgiven soul.
But what if the friends hadn’t taken the time or exerted the energy to carry their friend to Jesus? What if they let themselves think Jesus couldn’t do the impossible? What if they feared looking stupid in front of other people? What if they were afraid of giving their friend false hope?
Thankfully, those faithful friends succumbed to none of the above. They believed. They acted. They witnessed a miracle.
Jesus is the answer for every person in the world—no matter what the circumstance. No one falls outside his love or ability to rescue. I forget that sometimes. I’m reluctant to talk about Jesus to those who seem to “have it all together” and display no need for him. But as Francis Schaeffer often said, God designed us to fit in the world he created. We experience a tension when we resist his plan—no exceptions. No amount of success, money, or self-indulgence will satisfy the purpose God stamped on us when we were created.
On the other hand, I can view some people as “too far gone,” too hardened to ever acknowledge their need for Jesus. They have so identified with their sin, it seems like nothing could ever break through. I overlook the impossibility factor—with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Let’s not be intimidated by outward appearances. Let’s respond to God’s heart for people. Let’s get a little desperate to bring them to Jesus.