“When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.” — Mark 2:1-4
These friends right here … through-the-roof friends.
Crowds followed Jesus everywhere he went because they knew Christ had the power to transform, heal and change them. The paralyzed man was unable to move but needed to be in the presence of Christ. He was incapable of movement. However, he had persistent friends who were not going to allow him to remain in that condition. They were determined to get him in the presence of Christ, period.
The house was packed and they were unable to come in the conventional way, but that didn’t deter them. They climbed up and removed the roof and lowered him into the presence of Christ. Jesus was impressed by their persistence and faith. The end result: And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
These friends right here … through-the-roof friends.
This passage reminds me to thank God for friends who love us enough not to let us remain in certain conditions. When we’re paralyzed by moments of discouragement and fear, they reach out and carry us. When we’re numb with pain and unable to move, they support us. Thank God for friends who pray on our behalf, friends who comfort and challenge us, friends who love us enough not to let us remain in that condition. I am grateful for friends who are willing to pray and sacrifice for me.
These friends right here … through-the-roof friends.
I am grateful for friends that remain faithful and who have resolved to accompany us on our life journey as we work out and work through moments of emotional paralysis, however long it takes. God’s grace isn’t confined to when the situation reaches a resolution and everything works out. God’s miracle is in those moments with through-the-roof friends who carry and care for us during our moments of pain and paralysis.
These friends right here … through-the-roof friends.
One of the definitions of through the roof is to rise to a very high level. I am grateful for friends who motivate me to reach higher and strive to encourage me.
I am thankful for friends who are willing to go through the roof for me,
And not let me remain paralyzed by discouragement or fear,
I am thankful for friends who are willing to go through the roof for me
Who pray on my behalf and hold me near,
I am thankful for through the roof friends, reliable and whom I can depend.
“I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
The friends carried him in, but he carried the mat and walked himself out. He was also in a position to carry someone else, if they needed it.
I am thankful for through-the-roof friends, reliable and upon whom I can depend.
That’s why I also strive to be a through-the-roof friend.
Minister Sheila P. Spencer is an author, educator and poet. She can be contacted at CustomMadeInspiration@gmail.com, and her website is sheilapspencer.com.
