Desperate Measures-Drastic Steps

Luke 5: 17-25, One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn't reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

Luke 5 recounts for us the desperate measures and drastic steps four men took to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus to be healed.  These men wanted to see their friend healed so desperately that when they could not reach Jesus through conventional methods (the door) they took drastic steps to get his attention.  Luke 2:4 puts it this way, “They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.”  As we read in Luke 5, this got not only Jesus’ attention, but the attention of the entire crowd. 

Imagine if you will; the crowd is made up of both common people and religious leaders.  They have all come for different reasons, but they have all come.  They have come is such numbers as to make entering the house impossible.  Four men hear that Jesus the Healer is in their town.  They want to bring their paralyzed friend to him because they have heard the stories and believe that he can heal their friend.  They load their friend onto a sleeping mat and each one taking a corner, they set off. 

Upon arriving at the home when Jesus is teaching they encounter a crowd of such great magnitude that they are momentarily taken off guard.  “How,” they think to themselves, “will we ever get in to see Jesus?”  Maybe they set the man down on the ground and have a huddle to discuss the problem at hand. Or maybe one of them sees the stairs going up to the roof right away and starts leading them toward it pulling the rest along with him.  Whatever happened in that moment, they made their way to the stairs and began the climb to the roof carrying their friend, still on his mat. 

Once on the roof the issue they now face is how to get their friend into the house.  Luke tells us that they tore a hole in the roof.  My assumption is that none of them were roofers.  They were probably not carrying along their axes or shovels.  They must have gotten down on their hands and knees and using the only tools they had available (their hands) they began to rip off the roof covering layer by layer. 

Let’s go inside for a moment.  I've watched many home improvement shows and when you begin to tear off a roof, dust, drywall, loose wood, etc. begins falling inside the house unless the necessary precautions have been made first.  If those listening to Jesus had not heard the sounds of the roof being torn away, they would soon feel the rain of debris on their heads.   As the debris rains down the crowd has varied reactions.  Some probably are thinking they should be leaving now.  Others are confused.  Still others are indignant (religious leaders). 

As the mat is lowered down, those on the roof peer down through the hole.  They may be expecting a reprimand or rebuke.  They may be expecting the threat of a law-suit.  But one thing is certain, they were expecting a miracle.  They were so desperate to see their friend healed that they faced the crowd below with confidence and faith.  (Luke 5:20)

How desperate are we to meet with Jesus?  To receive the answers to our prayers?  To see our loved ones come to salvation? Are we desperate enough to become totally undignified and to throw ourselves at his feet?  Are we desperate enough to fast until we hear from God? Are we desperate enough to obey with blind faith, trusting him to fulfill his promises? 

The Word tells us that “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, ‘Young man, your sins are forgiven.’” It goes on to say, “Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!’ And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God.”

This man’s friends had the faith and the desperate determination which lead them to take drastic measures to see their friend healed.  What are we willing to do to see our prayers answered?  The Word says that “that faith without works is dead.”  God doesn't answer our prayer because of our works (fasting, prayer, sacrifice) but he does expect us to put our faith into action.  Are we willing to look foolish, risk ridicule or rebuke, or maybe even get dirty to put feet to our faith?  Are we desperate enough to take drastic steps?

All Scripture is NLT unless otherwise stated.