Something unexpected happened as the Lord was preaching the Word in a crowded house in Capernaum (Mk. 2:2). There was noise above them. People on the roof began digging out the topcoat of clay, removing and tearing away clay tiles, then pulling, tugging, and pushing at the underlying branches and timbers. One can surmise that debris from the roof rained down on those inside the house, and they clamored and struggled to get out of the way. We imagine that bright sunlight suddenly streamed

We imagine that bright sunlight suddenly streamed into the darkness of the home from a hole in the roof. But the men above kept working until they made a larger opening. Now particles of dust probably hung in the air from the partial demolition of the roof. Then the stream of light was blocked as a stretcher was swung over the hole, and a man who was a paralytic was lowered into the house (2:4). People shuffled and made room as the man on the stretcher was lowered and placed directly before the Lord. Above the scene now were seen four happy, hopeful friends looking down into the house.

These four determined men are examples of true friends who, in love, help needy sinners to come before the Savior. These four had a faith that refused to quit in the face of obstacles. Their friend couldn’t walk, so they carried him. The crowd blocked their access to Christ, so they went around them. The roof was in the way, so they tore a hole in it. The men went to extraordinary lengths and great effort to place their friend before the Lord.

The paralytic is a picture of all who are outside of Christ for, in our sins, we are all spiritual paralytics. The four men believed in Christ (v. 5), and they knew He could help their friend, so they brought him to Christ and were willing to do whatever it took to get that man before Him. May their same heart beat within us, having the kind of faith and zeal that would tear apart a roof to get a person before the Lord and under the hearing of the gospel. By far, the number one reason new people come to a church or go to a Bible study is that a friend invites them. When you stop and think about that hole in that broken roof, what you see is a picture of love.

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