Mark 2:1-5: a reflection

1When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was at home. 2Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. 3Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. 4When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. 5Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

When Jesus returns to Capernaum, so many crowd into the house that there is no room, not even at the door. And this creates a problem: four men carrying a paralyzed friend cannot get him through the crowd to Jesus. The very throng gathered around Jesus has become a barrier to the one who most needs him. But the friends will not be stopped; they climb to the roof, dig through it, and lower their friend down right in front of Jesus, and Jesus, seeing their faith, forgives and heals him.

Notice the irony, and the determination. The crowd pressing around Jesus, all wanting to be near him, unintentionally blocked the desperate man from reaching him. The very press of people became an obstacle. But the friends refused to let the barrier stop them; they found another way, tearing through the roof to get their friend to Jesus. They would not accept that the obstacle was final.

That is worth pondering in two directions. Sometimes the crowds and structures around religion, the busyness, the barriers, even well-meaning ones, can unintentionally make it hard for the desperate to reach Jesus; and we do well to ask whether we are helping people to him or getting in the way. And sometimes, like the friends, we must be determined to get past the barriers, refusing to let obstacles keep us, or those we love, from Christ. Do not let barriers, the crowd, the busyness, the obstacles, keep you or others from Jesus. Be like the friends: find a way through, and do not let anything stand between the desperate and the Savior who receives them.

Lord Jesus, when the crowd around you left no room, four friends refused to let the barrier stop them, tearing through the roof to bring their paralyzed friend to you, and you received him. Give me their determination. Do not let barriers, the busyness, the crowds, the obstacles, keep me or those I love from coming to you. Help me find a way through, refusing to accept that any obstacle is final. And show me where I might unintentionally be making it harder for the desperate to reach you, rather than helping them; make me one who clears the way to you, not one who blocks it. Let nothing stand between the desperate and you, the Savior who receives all who come.