“It was heard that Jesus was in the house…” Immediately, many gathered together so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door…” Mark 2:1-2
The presence of Jesus in the 1st century almost always drew a crowd. There was something different about this man from Nazareth. The blind were seeing, the deaf were hearing, the lame were walking, the lepers were being cleansed. Jesus had the ability to make one plagued by disease or disability, whole, as if they had never been afflicted.
Among those pursuing an audience with Jesus were four men seeking His aid for their paralytic friend. (Mark 2:3-4) These men believed that Jesus had the ability to heal their friend yet found an obstacle before them. This is often the case when attempting to put our faith into action. Someone or something is there to impede our desire to act in agreement with our faith. These men could not get near the door.
Possible responses when our faith faces obstacles:
- At least I tried…
- It is too hard…
- Give up…
- I will find another way…
- How badly do we want to get to Jesus?
- What are we willing to sacrifice?
- How much effort are we willing to extend?
The paralytic’s 4 friends chose to find another way!
“…they uncovered the roof where He was. So, when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.” Mark 2:4
When our faith faces an obstacle do we give up or find another way?
V5 “Jesus saw their faith…”
What did He see?
- Men who believed in His ability to heal…
- Men who would not allow their faith to be deterred by the obstacle before them…
- Men who were willing to go to extraordinary measures in order to see Him…
Faith necessitates more than a mental affirmation; saving faith will be seen in our response to the redeeming power of our Savior. These men really wanted to get to Jesus and would stop at nothing to do so.
What does Jesus see regarding my faith?
Prospering Pathway 
Leave a comment