Uncovering the Clay Roof

‘And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying, and when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “son your sins are forgiven” ’ (Mark 2:4-5).

When you answer the universal call to salvation, you answer a call to duty and ministry. This ministry involves ‘carrying others and their burdens to Christ’. The good news is, when you carry others you definitely meet Christ. Mark 2:1-12 gives a very intriguing account of four men who carried a paralytic to Christ. This study focuses on some important lessons that can be drawn from that story. Principally, the story reveals some of the challenges in bringing others to Christ and the rewards of enduring that labor.

As it were, Jesus’ presence in Capernaum resulted in multitudes trooping there. The house in which He was, got so parked that there was no room for an extra person, not even outside the house. Four men arrived at the house carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. The first lesson here is that, when one finds Christ and the total redemption that He provides, it is his responsibility to carry or compel others to Christ. In Christ, you are in a position to pick up others and carry them to Him through prayer, the preaching of the gospel and your acts of kindness. Don’t just look at the spiritually and physically needy with pithy but rather compassion. Compassion goes beyond pithy; it reaches out to offer a helping or ministering hand. It doesn’t say ‘some one else will help’.

The fact that four men carried the paralytic, also offers a valuable lesson. One person could not have succeeded in getting him to Jesus. Even if one person tried it would have been tiresome and he could have been worn out before getting him to Jesus timely. In the work of ministry, it is always important to envision yourself as being part of a team. Individuals that aren’t able to work with others get worn out before their time. Jesus sent the seventy in pairs and Paul the great Apostle also sent for John mark, the disciple he couldn’t work with previously and his words were, ‘get Mark and bring him with you for he is useful to me for ministry (2 Tim 4:11). Enduring ministry can never be done in isolation, every joint supply.

The idea to take the sick to Jesus may have been initiated by one person, but that person was able to impart the vision to three more people. The visionary did not allow the desire to take the glory after the work is done, to stop him; he was more passionate about getting the sick man delivered. Been able to impart a God given vision to others is one mark of a mature Christian worker. Been able to share a vision with others, to a point where those individuals will personalize it and ran with it makes one a great leader. Great leaders don’t accomplish great feats alone. As an individual, there are some capabilities you don’t have and will never have. During the building of the tabernacle, God gave the vision and measurements to Moses, but He gave the skills required for the work to others.

The men carrying the paralytic couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above His head and lowered the sick man on his stretcher, right down in front of Jesus. The four men may have put themselves at risk digging through the clay roof and lowering the sick. Ministering to others demands selflessness and a lot of Sacrifices; it can be very challenging spiritually, physically and emotionally. Regardless, with God all things are possible and where there is a will there is a way. Paul said I become all things to all men so that by all means I will win some for Christ (1 Cor 9:22). Getting others to Christ is a spiritual battle that needs to be won on the knees through travailing prayer and in the mind through wise planning, not forgetting the physical work involved. Don’t easily give up on people during evangelism, follow up and other Christian ministries. The Holy Spirit’s guidance always brings victory.

‘When Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiveness”. Isn’t it amazing that others can be delivered from sicknesses, death, poverty, sin and all kinds of bondages through your acts of faith? Today, have compassion, be persistent in hard work and release your faith in ministering to others. Many in your own family and all around you are still in spiritual slavery because you have not risen up. Rise up child of God, all creation is waiting for your manifestation