Mark 2 - 2.12.23

Scripture

Mark 2:4-5

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. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Observation

Jesus was preaching in a home in Capernaum and 4 men brought a paralyzed man to Him for healing. Because of the large crowd (there wasn’t even room outside the door as stated in vs. 2), they made an opening in the roof to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus.

Their faith made them do everything possible to see Jesus. When they couldn’t get to Him, they didn’t give up. Because of the 4 men’s persistence, Jesus healed the paralyzed man’s paralysis and forgave him of all his sins.

Application

Be desperate for Jesus. Jesus wants to be found by us. Seek God because He sought us first.

When we feel like Jesus’ presence is far away or feel like He is not listening to us, we need to be willing to knock down walls and dig holes in roofs in pursuit of Him. When we feel far away from Jesus, it is not because of Him, but because of us. The Lord wants to be found by us because He loves us. He sought us first (see Luke 15 with the story of the lost sheep and lost son), so we must continue seeking Him in response to that love.

Let’s be like the 4 men in this chapter and like the persistent widow with the unjust judge in Luke 18:1-8. God honors our persistence in our pursuit of Him and because He’s a good Father, He will act and respond. Don’t give up praying, seeking, or knocking. We will find Him if we don’t give up.

What practical things do you and I need to do to show our desperation for Jesus?

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).

“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 4:29).

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew‬ ‭7:7-8‬)

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1).

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for seeking us out first and pursuing us with a relentless love. Because of that love, You desire to be found by us. May we continually seek You in faith when we feel You are far away. Your Word says You never leave or forsake us, so we know that it is us who need to draw closer to You when dry times like that happen. We need You and can’t live without your love and grace towards us. Thank You for every breath we take which is evidence of Your grace and existence. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi