City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“Jesus returned to Capernaum, and a few days later the news went out that He was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no longer room [for them], not even near the door; and Jesus was discussing with them the word [of God]. Then they came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four men. When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven…I say to you, get up, pick up your mat and go home.’ And he got up and immediately picked up the mat and went out before them all, so that they all were astonished and they glorified and praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’”

Mark 2:1-5, 11-12 (AMP)

Reflection

Disclaimer: I am not an advocate for damaging other’s property or breaking and entering, and even if it wasn’t part of the Jewish law to make restitution, I’m sure the (formerly) paralyzed man and his friends fixed the roof afterwards, and if Chick-fil-A existed back then, treated the owner of the house and his family to a meal. 

In a culture of walking as the primary mode of transportation and, for many, physical labor as the only source of income, the friends figured this was the paralyzed man’s only chance of a life that did not involve begging for food money. The paralyzed man and his friends knew who Jesus was, and what He was capable of. But there is a difference between being bold and being brash. Boldness is confidence and courage. Brashness is confident to the point of rudeness.

I can’t argue with the fact of deliberately damaging somebody’s roof and breaking and entering is quite rude (not to mention illegal), and they did it in full view of the owner of the house and a huge crowd. They knew there would be plenty of witnesses to the offense, and were willing to get into big trouble so Jesus could heal their friend. If they did it not thinking of the consequences or the owner’s and his family’s feelings or safety, that’s brashness. The Amplified version states that wasn’t the case, they had active faith, springing from confidence in Jesus, all five men had courage and confidence that Jesus can and will help, and He did. 

Application

To be bold requires courage and confidence. Where do you need courage and confidence? What are you hoping for? Maybe Jesus is waiting for you to make the first move. Just please don’t damage my roof (unless you promise to take me to Chick-fil-A after fixing it). 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, please grant me boldness. Help me to be courageous and confident in You, especially if You are waiting for me to make the first move. In Your Name I pray, amen.