A Broken Man Before The Boundless Gospel

A little while ago I was installing a keypad lock on the door to my upstairs studio—just trying to add an extra layer of security for my equipment, cameras, computers, all that production stuff. So I set the keypad lock up, got the old handle out of the door, got the batteries in, set the code, all of that. I stepped out of the studio, closed the door behind me, pressed lock, and it locked! Great! That’s what it’s supposed to do. So I type in my code to open the lock and continue setting stuff up, and nothing. The lock beeps three times – meaning wrong code. I enter it again, slower, beep beep beep. Wrong code. I enter the default code that came with the lock – beep beep beep. Wrong code. So I try a different code that I may have used, even though I know I didn’t, and beep beep beep. Wrong code.

So now I’ve just resorted to the good ‘ole jiggle the handle and hope. Nope. Next step is the try to get a credit card in there and see if I can open it. I don’t know why I tried that, I don’t know how. But I tried. And you’ll be glad to know that I still don’t know how to do that. So there I was - completely locked out of my own studio.

Then I remembered something—earlier that day, I had opened the upstairs window to let some fresh air in while I was setting things up, and I wasn't completely sure I had locked it when I closed it. It was a slim chance, but worth trying.

So I went out to the shed, dragged out a ladder, and climbed up onto the roof outside that window. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say my heart was racing a bit as I reached for the window—I put both hands on the glass, pushed up, and it slid open! It wasn't locked after all. I awkwardly climbed through, made my way into the studio, and finally unlocked the door from the inside.

It wasn't the normal way to enter my studio. Personally, I prefer the door. And it certainly wasn't dignified. And I’m glad to know that my neighbors don’t call the cops on someone climbing in through an upstairs window.

But sometimes, you have find another way in.

But at the end of the day – I just wanted to get into a room I personally locked myself out of. The stakes weren’t really all that high. Cassy wasn’t even home to see it happening. And thank God for that. But also, thank God there wasn’t a medical emergency going on in that room and I was locked out of it. What would you do in that situation? If a friend or loved one was in there and you’re locked out? You’d do whatever you could to get in there and help. Call 911, bust the door down. If someone’s life was at stake? You bet I would.

Let’s up the stakes again - what if it was their soul that’s at stake. In that moment. It’s life or death, and their soul is at stake. What lengths would you go to then?

Today we’re continuing in our study of the Book of Mark, and in our passage this morning we see four men whose determination is a wonderful example of what real faith looks like when it encounters what seems to be impossible. Because you see, faith isn’t just believing something. Faith acts. Faith moves. And today, we’re going to see how Jesus responds when that kind of barrier-breaking faith shows up at His doorstep, or rather – crashes through the ceiling.

Jesus Draws a Crowd, but Faith Finds a Way

Let's set the scene. Jesus has returned to Capernaum after traveling throughout Galilee. This wasn't just any town—Capernaum had become Jesus' adopted hometown after leaving Nazareth. It was a bustling fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and it served as the base for much of Jesus' ministry. Mark tells us in verse 1:

“And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.”

— Mark 2:1 (ESV)

Notice that phrase—"at home." Jesus had established relationships here. People knew where to find him. And in verse 2 we read:

“And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.”

— Mark 2:2 (ESV)

Word spreads quickly that he's back in town. In a small first-century village, news traveled fast. Jesus' reputation as a teacher and healer had been growing, and people were eager to see him, to hear him, to be near him. Before long, the house where he's staying is so packed that Mark says there's no room left, not even outside the door. Picture it—bodies pressed together, people standing on tiptoes, craning their necks, straining to hear every word Jesus speaks.