An Opening

Mark 2: 3-5- Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 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.”

Finally, I’ve reached the verse that’s been on my mind. 

Why, if this guy was in obvious need, did these four guys not get an open path through the crowd?  Was it because the entire crowd was selfish and wanted their own needs met?

And why did these guys dig through the roof to lower the man in front of Jesus?  It says they actually made the opening by digging. 

I know some folks who are in great need, and seem to be “paralyzed” when it comes to realizing their need and being able to do anything about it.  We can pray for them, talk to them, try to persuade them, and even counsel these people, but their sin, their mental state, or their background has shut down their ability to comprehend their need, much less get help.

I’m not sure what it looks like, but I’m thinking some of us need to literally carry these people to Jesus, through the crowd, atop a roof, and lower them down at his feet.

Sort of like a rescue operation.  Or do we wait until they fall off and get trampled on by the crowd?

I’m still thinking about this one…