In Mark chapter 2, we find one of the most powerful demonstrations of what true love looks like. While most people know this passage as “Jesus heals a paralytic,” there are actually three miracles that occur in this story - and two of them happen before the physical healing even takes place.

What Does True Love Look Like?

The story begins with Jesus returning to Capernaum. Word quickly spread that he was teaching in a home, and so many people gathered that there wasn’t even room at the door. Meanwhile, four men were carrying their paralyzed friend, desperately trying to get him to Jesus.

When they couldn’t get through the crowd, they made a bold decision - they climbed onto the roof, tore a hole in it, and lowered their friend down right in front of Jesus. This wasn’t just a minor inconvenience; it was a major disruption that required significant effort and risk.

Are We Getting in the Way of Others Coming to Jesus?

One uncomfortable question this story raises is whether we might sometimes be like the crowd that blocked the paralytic from reaching Jesus. In that culture, people with disabilities were often viewed as being punished by God for sin. The crowd wasn’t willing to make way for someone they deemed unworthy.

Do we sometimes do the same in our churches? Are we willing to give up our seat, our prejudices, or our comfort for someone who looks different, sounds different, or doesn’t fit our mold of what a “church person” should be? Or do we, like those in the crowd, become so familiar with our traditions and preferences that we unintentionally block others from encountering Jesus?

What Am I Willing to Risk to Bring Others to Jesus?

The four friends in this story took extraordinary risks. Think about what they did:

• They climbed onto a roof (not safe!)
• They tore apart someone’s property
• They disrupted a religious gathering
• They risked public embarrassment and criticism

All because they believed one simple truth: the closer their friend got to Jesus, the more his life would change.

This raises another challenging question: What am I willing to risk to bring my friends to Jesus? Am I willing to risk my reputation? My comfort? My social standing? My job security? These four men were willing to risk it all because they believed Jesus was worth it.

How Does Faith Move Jesus?

When the paralytic was finally lowered before Jesus, the text says something remarkable: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’“ Notice it wasn’t just the paralytic’s faith that Jesus saw - it was the collective faith of all five men.

This is the first miracle in the story - that these four friends would do anything for their friend. The second miracle follows immediately: the man’s sins are forgiven. His eternal destiny is secured before his physical body is ever healed.

For those praying for loved ones who seem far from God, this is powerful encouragement. Throughout the Gospels, the one thing that consistently stopped Jesus in his tracks was people’s faith. Don’t give up praying for that person. Keep tearing holes in roofs. Keep believing. Your faith matters.

What Are You Putting Your Faith In?

The paralytic needed to put his faith in Jesus, not in his own ability to get better. Similarly, we need to examine what we’re putting our faith in. Many people put their faith in religious activities - church attendance, Bible reading, prayer - rather than in Jesus himself.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Our salvation doesn’t come through religious activities but through a relationship with Jesus. We must confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead.

Salvation is a gift, but like any gift, it must be received to be enjoyed. Have you received this gift, or is it still sitting wrapped under the tree?

Does Jesus Promise a Pain-Free Life?

The third miracle in this story is the one we’re most familiar with - Jesus tells the man to get up, take his mat, and go home. The physical healing is dramatic and immediate.

However, Jesus never promised us a life without suffering. He actually said, “In this world you will have trouble.” But he followed that with, “Take heart, for I have overcome the world.”

When we’re in our own “bed of pain” - whether that’s depression, anxiety, stress, or physical suffering - Jesus is right there with us. He may not always remove our suffering immediately, but he promises never to leave us or forsake us.

Life Application

In Matthew 13:44, Jesus tells his shortest parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

This parable raises the ultimate question for each of us: Am I willing to risk it all for Jesus? Consider these specific applications:

• Remove barriers: What steps can you take this week to ensure you’re not blocking others from coming to Jesus? Is there someone different from you that you could welcome and make space for?
• Take risks: What risks might God be calling you to take to bring someone closer to Jesus? Is there a conversation you've been avoiding or an invitation you’ve been hesitant to extend?
• Exercise faith: Is there someone you’ve nearly given up praying for? Remember that your faith matters to Jesus. Commit to praying with renewed faith this week.
• Examine your trust: Where are you placing your ultimate trust? In religious activities or in Jesus himself? If you’ve never taken the step of trusting Jesus as your Savior, what’s holding you back?

Ask yourself: What’s my “roof” that needs tearing open? What bold, even disruptive action might God be calling me to take so that someone I care about can get closer to Jesus?

Remember, the closer we get to Jesus, the more our lives change - and the same is true for those we bring to Him.