The Crew On The Roof

Luke 5:17-26

17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”

The story we just read is one of the most exciting in all the Bible. Jesus has just set up his headquarters at Capernaum. Every Sabbath day He was found preaching somewhere. At times He preached in the Synagogue or on the hillside. But today He is in a house and the house is packed. May God give us a day when that is true for our churches.

Jesus is preaching, the service is going great, and 4 men walk up carrying a friend of theirs who is paralyzed. They try to get in the house, but no one would make room for them. No one in the house was willing to get out of the house so the man’s friends could get him to Jesus.

So, these men did a very ingenious thing. They carried their friend on top of the roof. Jesus is preaching. Everyone is listening, and suddenly there is a noise on the roof. The plaster starts to fall on the congregation because the men are taking off the roof.

Can you imagine the distraction? People shouting. “Tell those men to be quiet. Don’t they know that this is a worship service?” This is not your everyday baby crying or a choir member falling asleep. They are taking off the roof.

And when they are finished, the man is lowered down and laid at the feet of Jesus. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been in a worship service like that. WOW!

One of the greatest needs we have as Christians and as the Church is to begin seeing things the way God sees them. To have God’s view of our lives, the world, and people. When Jesus stood to preach that day, He saw three things that I want to share with you today.

I. THE CROWD IN THE HOUSE

The crowd was mixed. Some were believers and some were not. The believers were there to hear Jesus. May God help us to come to church with an expectancy that the Lord is here and that He has something to share with us.

Others were also in the crowd. The religious leaders were there to gather evidence against Jesus. Some were just curious. Others were yearning for something more in their lives. Jesus was glad to have them all there. He had come to seek and to save those who were lost.

Perhaps as the men were climbing the ladder to the roof, Jesus was telling those in the crowd about the great love of God. Maybe He was telling them about God’s wonderful mercy or his amazing forgiveness and grace.

Let me ask you a question. Where are you in the crowd today? Maybe you’ve been coming here for a while. You’re searching for something that’s real. You’ve made some poor decisions. You’ve messed up. Your lifestyle isn’t as satisfying as you thought it was going to be. The relationships haven’t met your expectations and you’ve come here for answers. Jesus Is Glad That You Are Here because He has another chance to speak to your heart.

But there were believers in the crowd that day and there is one thing that concerns me. There were believers in the house who would not go outside the house so the paralytic could get in the house to Jesus. Think About It. A man is at the door. He is paralyzed. He wants to see Jesus because he has heard of how Jesus is a friend to those in need. But I don’t move. And worse than that, I am not moved by what I see. Do You See the Application? Sometimes those who need Jesus can’t get to Him because of Christians in the way.