They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.
Mark 2:4 NLT
Question
What obstacle have you allowed to keep you from taking the next step of faith,?
Context
Jesus was teaching in a crowded house in Capernaum when four men brought their paralyzed friend to Him. They believed Jesus could help him, but there was one major problem: they couldn’t get through the crowd.
They could have turned around. They could have said, “We tried.” Instead, they climbed onto the roof, opened it up, and lowered their friend directly in front of Jesus.
Their faith moved them to action. They refused to allow the crowd, the circumstances, or the obstacles to keep their friend from Jesus.
Application
There will always be obstacles between people and what God wants to do in their lives.
Sometimes the obstacle is fear. Sometimes it is discouragement, disappointment, failure, or circumstances we cannot control. And sometimes the obstacle is simply the crowd: the voices and opinions of people around us.
But Mark 2 reminds us that faith doesn’t always mean the way will be easy. Sometimes faith means finding another way forward when the obvious way is blocked.
Notice something else: the man on the bed could not get himself to Jesus. He needed someone willing to carry him.
Who has God placed around you who needs to be carried to Jesus through your prayers, encouragement, love, and witness?
Truth For The Day
Real faith refuses to let obstacles have the final word.
Pray
Lord, give me the kind of faith that refuses to quit when the way becomes difficult. Help me see obstacles not as reasons to turn around, but as opportunities to trust You more deeply. Give me compassion for those who need someone to carry them to Jesus. Make me willing to pray, serve, encourage, and do whatever I can to help others encounter Christ. When the way seems blocked, remind me that You are still there. Give me courage to keep moving forward in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
