Through the roof

All synoptic gospels tell the story of Jesus healing a paralyzed man who made his way through the roof to get to Jesus (Matthew 9, Mark 2, Luke 5). Four unnamed friends convinced the paralytic man that they were determined to take him to Jesus. Imagine how their hearts must have sunk when they saw that the house Jesus stayed was packed with people. Lots of people in town had come there with their sick people and there is no way to get into house, not to mention a man on a stretcher. The men decided to climb up on the roof, break it open, and lower the paralytic down. You can only imagine the reaction of the people in the room below when the pieces and debris started falling on them.

Many Christians are oblivious to the damage they cause and the barriers they build. They refuse to think or admit the traffic jam they cause at the doorway blocking others to come to church. Many churches are very supportive to each other and work together shoulder to shoulder and interlocked so tightly that nobody can break in and become part of it. Our tight knit boundaries of tradition or structure make it too exhausting for outsiders trying to break in to get to Jesus. People are being brought to Jesus through unconventional ways now. The new generation that comes to church often consider themselves as seekers rather than believers. Many are paralyzed and need help emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Christians may need to pause at times and ask themselves how they can help people on 'stretchers and chairs' to get to Jesus without having to climb and damage the roof.

A painting based on this miracle shows a man walking away from the house with a bedding on his back while the four friends were still on the roof patching and repairing the damage to the house. The friends did an excellent job in getting the sick man to Jesus and at the same time caused some damage to the house which is hard to explain on a home owner's insurance claim. They knew that there will be those who are more interested in the damage of the roof than the healing of the paralyzed man. They were determined not only to get the sick man help but were also to repair the damages that they had caused.

Carlyle Marney, a prominent American pastor and theologian of the 20th century called such friends the “balcony people”. They are helpers who bless others in time of need and believe in miracles more than the needy. They go before us to serve as lights to our path and guides to our way. When we cannot get to help ourselves or have nothing to give back in return, they are the ones who are ready to carry us. True friendship is learning not to impose your convictions, or have your own way, or provide your own answers. Sincere friends are those who do everything they can to lead others to the Source of help and who goe beyond barriers and love without expecting anything. Let us thank God for all those who choose to help others in the journey of life.

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Blessings

Mathew Philip

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