How do you respond when you fail at something? “When they werent able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher.” Mark 2:4 How do you respond when you fail at something? Do you throw your hands in the air and resign? For many, that is the way. They comfort themselves with the words, “at least I tried.” The question however is, did you try again in a different way this time? There is a way in which it will work! The man was a paraplegic who was on a stretcher. He was limited by his condition. Immobile, he had to rely on his friends to take him wherever he wanted to go. His friends were however the unusual type; a type that did not take a “no” for an answer. When they set their hearts to getting their friend in front of Jesus, they left no provision for failure. They were going to do it at any cost. When they got to the house where Jesus was preaching, there was already a gathered multitude. There was no room or a way of getting into the house. At this point, the ordinary drive dries up. Simple motivation dies down and one turns around and goes back home. Not these friends, they took the stretcher up the roof. What a spectacle! Immediately they began to tear the roof apart. They removed part of the roof and lowered their paraplegic friend on his stretcher. Imagine Jesus looking up and seeing a sick man being lowered close to the pulpit! Imagine him looking at the smiling faces of his friends as they stayed on to see Jesus healing their friend! “Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said...” Mark 2:5. Their faith was neither weak nor apologetic; it was bold. They knew what they wanted and in more ways than one were ready to receive it. They did not take time to consider the consequences of tearing someone else’s roof. They wanted a miracle. Is your belief impressive? Will it impress even the smallest around you? What are you prepared to tear as an expression of your belief? Until you can shoulder the embarrassment and shame, until you are prepared to be bold with your belief you have not started believing. Jesus was not impressed by their dress code, neither was he impressed by well selected words. It was belief that put Him into action. It was belief not doubt that caused heaven to get into action and deliver a miracle in the life of this man. It was not how loud they cried or talked, it was their action which was in line with the word of God. In Luke 18 Jesus told the disciples a story showing it was necessary to pray consistently and never quit. There was a city and in it a judge who did not fear God nor man. In that city was a widow; an obvious weak member of society. She went to the judge and asked for him to avenge him of her enemy. He initially ignored her. She however held on to the secret weapon of persistence. Regularly she made a trip to the judge. She would be there to give her petition. Whenever he asked for the daily tasks in the morning, the widow’s name was there. When he asked if he had any visitors the widow was there. The judge ended up saying to himself if I don’t grant this woman’s request, she will wear me. Persistence will wear the strongest of rocks. Observe the river, how it cuts through a mountain. It was not so before but it kept trying until it opened a way for itself. Don’t give up on that marriage! Don’t give up on that child, don’t give up on prayer. Don’t give up; this is the day to impress the Lord with some bold belief. Unshakeable know that the One who called you is faithful to fulfil your desires.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 14:29:59 +0000
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