Introduction

If you listen closely, you can almost hear the shuffle of sandals and the rustle of robes in that little house in Capernaum. The room is stuffed shoulder-to-shoulder with people who showed up hungry for more than bread. They want words that mend, a voice that understands, a touch that makes all things new. Windows are full. The doorway is clogged. Air is thin with hope. Someone’s grandmother is standing on tiptoe. A little boy is peeking through the legs of a fisherman. If walls could talk, they would whisper, He’s here.

And then comes the scrape of hands on clay. Dust starts to dance in a sunbeam. Pieces of the roof begin to fall like crumbs from heaven. Four friends—tired backs, tender hearts—are determined to place their hurting brother before Jesus. They refuse to take no for an answer. They won’t wait until it’s easy. They won’t settle for almost. Faith finds a way.

Can you see the man on the mat? He knows the ache of being carried. He knows the sting of being overlooked. He knows what it feels like when the door won’t open and the crowd won’t move. Maybe you know that feeling too. Maybe you’ve been turned away by a calendar that groans, a diagnosis that lingers, a secret that won’t let you sleep. What would it look like to be the kind of friend who climbs a roof? What would it mean to let others carry you closer to the only One who can call your name and make you whole?

When Jesus looks at the man, He begins where we rarely begin—at the heart. He speaks forgiveness first, then tells the man to stand. The order matters to the Savior. He heals the sickness we can’t see as well as the pain we can’t hide. The crowd wanted a miracle they could measure. Jesus offers mercy that cannot be measured.

As we open our hearts today, receive this reminder from Tim Keller: “We are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” That is the steady truth for weary people and worn places. So bring your obstacles, your questions, your fears. Lay them at the feet of the One who speaks to storms and sins with the same steady authority. He sees the faith of friends. He hears the whisper of weak prayers. He still tells mats to move and legs to lift and souls to sing.

Before we pray, let’s hear the story as Scripture tells it.

Scripture Reading: Mark 2:1-12 (KJV)

1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, the house was full when You came to Capernaum, and our hearts are full as we come to You now. Thank You that You see faith even when it feels frail. Thank You that You speak forgiveness where shame has shouted, and that You command strength where weakness has lingered. By Your Spirit, clear the clutter from our minds and calm the noise within us. If we need to be carried today, give us humility to receive help. If we are called to carry, give us holy persistence and tender courage. Address the deep places in us—where sin has stuck and sorrow has settled—and speak Your healing word. Teach us to trust Your authority. Teach us to rise at Your command. Give us grace to obey quickly and to walk in new life faithfully. May our gathering bring glory to Your name, and may our lives say with wonder, “We never saw it on this fashion.” In Your strong and saving name we pray, Amen.

Refuse to let obstacles keep you from Jesus

Barriers show up when we move toward Jesus. Some are loud. Some are quiet. Some feel like a wall. Some feel like a weight. The story in Mark shows people who would not wait for an easy moment. They used what they had. They took action.

They could not reach Him the usual way. So they looked for a new way. They changed the space above them to make a path. That took work. It also took care for their friend. They did not let the crowd set the terms. They let need and trust lead their steps.

This kind of faith is practical. It asks, What can we do today? It makes a plan. It calls a friend. It finds tools. It moves furniture. It walks across town. It turns off a screen. It goes to bed earlier so the morning has room for prayer. It reads one psalm. It sends a text that says, I need help.

Small steps add up. They clear a lane through things that pile up. They push past fear of what people think. They lower the volume on worry. They hold fast to the thought, If we can get near Him, it will be enough. Nearness is the aim. Nearness is the plan.

God honors this kind of grit. Scripture says Jesus noticed their effort. He saw trust in motion. He responded with words that change everything. He welcomed them into the center of what He was doing.

So ask yourself what stands in the way. Time? Tiredness? Distraction? Shame? Make one clear move to get near Him. Do it today. Then make another tomorrow. Keep going until you can say, I am in the room with Him.

We also see the power of friends. Four people carried a man who could not move on his own. It took strength. It took time. It took love. They shared the load. They refused to quit on him.

There are days when we have energy for others. There are days when we cannot take a step. Both days can lead to Jesus. If you are strong, lift someone. If you are weak, let someone lift you. It is hard to ask. It can feel risky to be seen. But help is the road to healing.

Notice how the Lord responded. He paid attention to the faith of the group. Their trust mattered. Their effort opened space for grace to work. One person’s need met four people’s courage. Heaven smiled on that.

Do you have people who can bring you closer to Christ? Name them. Tell them the truth about where you are. Ask them to pray with you. Invite them into the hard place. Give them a corner of the mat to hold. If you carry others, carry with tenderness. Carry with prayer. Carry with patience. Carry until the person you love is within reach of the Lord.

This story also shows where Jesus starts. He addressed the deeper trouble first. His words reached the man’s conscience. He spoke pardon. He lifted the weight inside before He lifted the body to its feet.

Many of us feel blocked on the inside. A record of wrongs plays in the mind. Old failures speak in circles. Doubt raises questions that never stop. This can feel heavier than any crowd at a door. It can make us sit still when we need to stand.

Bring that burden to Him. Say the plain truth. I sinned. I hid. I am tired of hiding. Speak to Him in your own words. Trust that He has full authority to release you. Trust that His kindness is stronger than the case against you.

When He clears the heart, the way forward opens. The man heard a command to rise only after hearing words of pardon. That order shows the care of Christ. He mends the place no one else can touch. Then He calls us to act on that grace in real time.

If you long to move, start here. Confess. Receive mercy. Let shame go. Then listen for the next step. The Lord is not vague when He calls. He speaks so we can obey.

The man did what Jesus said. He got up. He picked up what had carried him. He walked out. Simple steps. Clear steps. A life changed in front of everyone.

Obedience looks like that for us too. Hear the word. Do the word. Start small. Stand up from old habits. Carry the things that once defined you in a new way. Treat them as tools, not chains. Walk forward in the light you have.

Think about what “get up” means for you. Make the call. Apologize. Open the Bible before you open anything else. Show up to worship. Join a small group. Ask to be baptized. Pray out loud with a friend. These are everyday ways to move when He speaks.

Others will see. Some will question. Many will praise God. But the point is not the crowd. The point is that Jesus has spoken to you. When He does, respond fast. Keep walking. Keep carrying grace into every room you enter.

Lean on Jesus to address the deeper need first

Dust still hangs in the air ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO